Residents in Glasgow’s west end are calling for a rethink of “draconian” parking restrictions over fears they will have a detrimental impact on the local community.
A petition urging Glasgow City Council to reduce the new hours of North Kelvin and North Woodside parking Zone now has more than 2,600 signatures.
Residents worried about the restrictions – which came into force on August 8, 2022 – say it will hinder local residents, places of worship, childcare businesses and small local community clubs.
Chargeable hours are now between 8am and 10pm from Monday to Sunday, with a maximum stay of three hours.
But Rhona Cull, who started the petition, told STV News residents want a “more measured approach” to parking in the area, calling the hours “far too restrictive to everyday living”.
Instead, she wants the hours reduced to 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.
She said: “We have neighbours who require carers; I have a toddler, so babysitters; even just having friends round for dinner on a Friday night. We’re going to have to pay for parking because the restrictions are seven days a week until 10 o’clock.
“The local church, worshippers on a Sunday and Saturday will have to pay now. It’s a huge impact on the local community and it’s unjust when there’s no reason for it in the majority of these streets.”
Ms Cull now believes it’s time for Glasgow City Council to listen.
“People have objected to this for a long time… their voices haven’t been heard. The council have charged on with this without full regard of the consequences – and the reasoning isn’t justified.
“If it was for commuter parking as the council have always said – why are the restrictions not Monday to Friday 9am-6pm? Why are they so draconian?”
She added: “We’re moving into a cost-of-living crisis, and even just to have a friend come round for a cup of coffee we now need to pay for them to park.
“I think the majority feel that this is nothing more than a money-making exercise. The council are creating a parking problem.”
However, the council insists the changes to parking regulations will create benefits for local residents.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Parking schemes have been successful in many communities across the city and we are confident that residents in North Kelvin and North Woodside will experience similar benefits.
“This scheme has been driven by complaints from the community about parking with cars causing obstructions at junctions, dropped kerbs and on footways.
“Permit schemes, however, help to reduce parking by vehicles coming into the community and increase the availability of parking spaces closer to people’s homes.
“Like all parking zones, we can only provide spaces where it is safe to do so and forthcoming zone reflects this principle.
“Fewer parked cars also means greater road safety, particularly for pedestrians, and ease of access to streets for vehicles from the emergency and cleansing services.”
Local Labour councillor Keiran O’Neill, who represents Maryhill, said he recognises the need for parking controls locally, and supports them, but admits there have been “several issues with the implementation” which need to be addressed.
He said: “I have consistently raised the concerns of many of my constituents and have been successful in securing some small improvements but significant issues remain.
“I have secured a meeting with the City Convener and senior officers and I hope from this we can get the answers to the questions we’ve been asking for months as well as an opportunity to find out what improvements can be delivered to the scheme.”
You can read more about the petition here.
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