By Eric Nicolson

COUNCILLORS HAVE pledged to listen to public opinion before deciding whether to reintroduce car parking to Perth’s “most beautiful street.”

At this week’s enterprise and infrastructure committee, members started the process which could end up with 28 parking spaces being brought back on the river side of the street.

Tay Street has been free of parked cars since Perth and Kinross Council began extensive renovation designed to highlight the riverside streetscape.

It is hoped the return of parking will have multiple benefits, not least to ensure more people use the area, as well as helping nearby city centre businesses.

If the people of Perth show they are against the move over the coming weeks, however, the local authority will rethink its plans.

The committee convener, Councillor Alan Livingstone, commented, “Tay Street is arguably the most beautiful street in Perth. I would like to reintroduce life to the street and I think this gives us a chance.”

The vice-convener, Councillor John Hulbert, added, “I’m aware this is a controversial proposal. I would encourage all those with an opinion to let us know.”

If the plans come to pass the entire west side of the street will be covered by “no waiting at any time” restrictions.

This restriction will continue to allow servicing and dropping off of passengers to take place, and in particular wedding and funeral cars will be able to stop directly outside St Mathew’s Church.

Approximately 28 parking bays, with a maximum duration stay for two hours, will be created on the river side of the street.

There are two advisory cycle lanes on Tay Street between Canal Street and Perth Bridge. The introduction of parking on the river side will leave insufficient road width to retain both these cycle lanes.

To maintain routes for cyclists on Tay Street the advisory cycle lane will be retained on the west side and the path on the river side will be converted to shared use for pedestrians and cyclists.

A council official told the committee this shared use is “already a practice” and they are trying to “legitimise” it.

Several councillors expressed concerns about this.

One of them, Councillor Bob Lumsden, said that a group of youngsters cycling up Tay Street on the pavement would “give me cause for concern.”

Mr Livingstone claimed that skateboarders would prove more of a danger than cyclists.

Environment director Jim Irons added, “A lot of research around the country has shown cycling on the pavement is a lot safer than most people think it is.”

The council also hopes a successful parking scheme will enable it to revisit its plan to install kiosks along Tay Street.