CONTROVERSY OVER PARKING PLACES METER MADNESS
By BEN SPENCER The Glaswegian
RESIDENTS in the West End have a month to decide whether to accept major changes in car parking policy.
The proposed traffic management order would see residents in nine areas forced to pay for a yearly or quarterly permit to park in their own area.
Other car owners could pay to park for up to a maximum of three hours.
But the plans have been slammed by some local residents for failing to guarantee them a parking space.
The nine areas affected include Park Circus, Kelvingrove, Woodlands, Cranstonhill, Woodside, Spiersgate, Sandyford, Napiershall and Behnont.
The permit system would allow residents to park at any time for a fixed cost of £150 for a year, or £40 for three months.
Visitors could purchase special six hour permits for £2.
Other cars parking in the area would fork out lOp for the first 30 minutes, and a further lOp for each subsequent 10 minute stay.
Any cars found parking outside
the set bays would be hit with a £60 fine, which could rise to £90.
Parking bays in Park Circus would not have time limits, due to the lack of public parking nearby and the type of businesses there.
Visitors would pay a further lOp for each additional five minute stay after three hours.
A Finnieston resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "This is ridiculous. I could end up spending £150 and still not be able to get a parking bay.
"In fact, I might even end up paying more money to park in a nearby area."
Glasgow Conservative MSP Bill Aitken said: "I think that this is a genuine complaint.
"Clearly as traffic continues to grow and grow it is necessary for the council to look to various schemes. But it is also important to remember that businesses can be affected.
"I can certainly see the concerns of local residents if they pay a substantial amount and then can't get a
car parking space outside their homes.
"It is all a question of common sense and an attempt to seek a happy medium."
Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown questioned the length of time for the consultation: "That doesn't sound very long to me. It is a complex issue and there are grounds for community councillors to have a view, and they will need meetings."
Money raised from the parking scheme will fund the cost of policing it. A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: "The proposal to extend the existing restrictions is an attempt to alleviate local parking difficulties.
"It is a fact that commuters bring their cars into these areas in the mornings and then walk into the city centre to work, leaving residents with parking problems.
"The results of the consultation will be analysed by council officials before a report is put before the members of the Roads and Lighting Committee in a few months time."
Residents have up to April 20 to register any objections to the order.