Angus parking charges opponents plan to let local politicians know their opposition remains strong in a noisy town centre protest this week.
Campaigners who led a vehicle convoy to the door of Angus Council’s HQ a week after meters were switched on at 33 car parks across the county last November plan to converge on Forfar’s full council meeting on Thursday.
They will take to the street outside the council chamber and blast air horns during proceedings.
Angus Business and Retailers Association has also asked permission for a delegation to address councillors on the controversial set-up, saying frustration over its impact is “as strong as ever”.
Councillors have tweaked the scheme, including the purchase of cash machines for some of the off-street car parks and a plan for some festive season relaxation to boost weekend business.
Senior council figures have repeatedly emphasised the charges will not be scrapped.
Critics believe the scheme could take a decade to break even and councillors last week received an updated financial projection indicating a first-year net income of £278,000 compared to the £1/2 million budget forecast.
Brechin businessman Bruce Robertson of ABRA said: “Our intention is simply to let the councillors know that we are still here and the unhappiness over this whole situation remains as deep as ever.
“We are encouraging people to join us in a peaceful, but hopefully noisy, protest while the full council meeting is going on.
“Placards will be provided but if people decide to make their own, we would ask that they do not target individuals with inappropriate language.
“We are, however, encouraging the use of air horns, trumpets etcetera to let councillors know we are there and illustrate the strength of feeling which still exists around the parking charges.”
Mr Robertson said: “There is no clarity whatsoever on what the actual financial position is. Openness and transparency are not the council’s strong points and we will be reminding them of that if the delegation is permitted to speak.
“The car parks of Angus are still empty most of the time and there has been no sign of the surge in summer visitors which we were told would rescue the scheme financially.
“We need them to know the damage this is still causing.”
An Angus Council spokesman said: “While we are aware of the proposed protest, no request for a deputation has been received at this time.”
