Glasgow parking restrictions expansion could see 20 new wardens in city

Up to 20 new parking wardens could be employed across Glasgow as the city council looks to expand the number of zones with restrictions on where cars can park.

So far 22 parking zones have been introduced in Glasgow to eradicate commuter parking while preventing surrounding neighbourhood residents from taking advantage of free spaces available in certain streets.

A number of schemes in different areas are ongoing, in progress or are due to start in the next 12 months.

Parking zones at Garnethill and North Kelvin and North Woodside are complete while work is in progress at Celtic Park and Emirates Arena, Ibrox Stadium and QEUH.

A number of other schemes are due to commence in April, May or during the summer including: Dennistoun and Royston, Hutchesontown (New Gorbals), Broomhill and Thornwood, Kirklee, Barras South Extension and St Vincent Street / Argyle Street / Dumbarton Road.

An update was brought before members of the environment and liveable neighbourhoods committee on Tuesday afternoon.

Councillor Jill Brown said: “As these parking restricted zones are extended, can you give us a bit of background as to how you will ensure that those who are appropriately staffed will be able to attend to the needs of those who are most in need of these bays.

“How many parking attendants are there at the moment and how many will there be when these restricted parking zones are in place?

“I think addressing persistent parking offenders is a significant contribution that I wholeheartedly support.”

A council officer confirmed that the Covid-19 pandemic had a big impact on service delivery but that was beginning to change.

They said: “We have now identified resources to be dedicated to address disabled bay applications and implementations on the ground. We are currently working to get through the backlog and anticipate we will be on top of it all by the beginning of the next financial year.

“That dedicated team will remain in place and will deal with disabled bays going forward.

“In terms of parking attendants, I will need to come back to you with the exact figures but there are roughly 68 parking attendants in place at the moment.

“We are looking to employ a further 20 parking attendants within the service.”

Bailie Jim Kavanagh said: “I take it from the manner in which you have spoken there will be absolutely no reduction within car parking attendants if you are actually adding to it.”

A council officer confirmed there was no intention to reduce parking attendant numbers.