The controversial re-introduction of charges in Angus car parks has been delayed.
After an absence of more than 20 years, parking meters had been due to return to the county’s off-street car parks at the beginning of October.
It followed a decision by councillors earlier this year to bring back charges in a move set to generate £700,000 a year for the authority.
The charges will see drivers asked to pay £1 an hour, up to a maximum of £4, for off-street parking.
On street charging had been considered by the council, but provoked a public backlash which led to a u-turn that will see 30-minutes of free parking remain.
The authority came under fire from local business owners in a number of Angus burghs over fears that the move would create “tumbleweed towns”.
A petition set up to oppose the removal of the existing free half hour – introduced with the previous return of decriminalised parking in response to what had been branded a free for all on Angus streets – gathered thousands of signatures.
Following a decision on the final scheme in June, another petition was launched protesting the £260 cost of an annual permit, which critics said was more than that paid by residents in Kensington and Chelsea.
The new scheme will see the installation of solar-powered meters in car parks after officers said the equipment was the most efficient and cost-effective option.
All payments will be cashless, by card, chip and pin or phone app.
However, just weeks away from the scheduled start for charges, council chiefs have said a new start date of November 1 had been set.
A council spokesperson said: “Plans for the introduction of charges for off-street parking are at an advanced stage.
“There were changes to the project as a result of a 28-day public consultation in the summer, which required further consideration by elected members.
“To ensure smooth delivery of the procurement process, manufacture and installation, as well as staff training, the expected implementation date is now November 1.
“Further information about the introduction of off-street parking charges in Angus will be issued shortly.”
The authority was not able to provide details of the number of half-year or yearly parking permits which have so far been requested.
