Parking charge rises in Perth and Kinross will hammer the struggling retail sector, a local politician fears.
SNP MP Pete Wishart has hit out at the council administration’s decision to implement a hike in charges.
The 10% rise for the coming year – which was opposed by the SNP when the budget was decided – will raise an extra £100,000 of revenue.
The increase in charges for all council-owned car parks and off-street parking comes into effect on April 30.
Conservative councillor Angus Forbes defended the decision saying it was the first increase in parking charges for six years in Perth and Kinross and parking in Perth remained far cheaper than in other Scottish cities.
Mr Wishart, however, claimed that the increase could be detrimental in a fragile economy.
“This is a hike that will be deeply resented by the people of Perthshire and businesses that rely on people visiting our cities and towns,” he said.
“Just at the very time when we need to stimulate our city centre economy and bring tourists to the area the Tories hike up parking charges by 10%.
“This is an administration that would seek to self destructively fleece the people of Perth to pay for their disastrous management of the council.
“It is also the case that the people of Perthshire aren’t without their issues with parking just now. Just as we are being plagued by sharp practices from the private parking companies the council now seem determined to add to the misery.
“This is something that is going to go down very badly with Perthshire motorists.”
Mr Forbes pointed out that revenue from the increase in charges will be reinvested in parking facilities across the area,
“High quality, safer well-marketed car parks encourage people to visit and stimulate economic development,” he said.
A council spokesperson added: “Improvements that the council has made so far include the complete refurbishment of Perth’s Canal Street multi-storey car park and the introduction of ‘pay on foot’ parking in both Canal Street and the South Inch Car park.
“This allows the motorist the flexibility to spend more time shopping or doing business in Perth without worrying about overstaying their parking time.
“Perth and Kinross Council will continue to offer the first 15 minutes of parking free across the Perth and Kinross area, a scheme which has come into its own in this era of ‘click and collect’. This has been well received by shoppers and businesses alike.”
The on and off street charges apply between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday.pm Monday to Saturday.
