Lochee traders have cautiously welcomed parking meters on Bank Street, but say there is much more to be done.
This morning drivers using the new Bank Street car park had to take tickets from new meters.
The car park remains free for the first two hours, but it is hoped the change will encourage drivers to move on and free up spaces on the High Street.
Paul Smith, owner of the Granada Caf and Restaurant, said: “If we ran our businesses the way they’ve run this regeneration, we would be out of business.
“The car park being rejigged is not going to put life back into Lochee.
“Following the regeneration, and all the bays being messed about on the High Street, meaning people can’t park there, we have eight more parking spaces, now that’s hardly going to change anything.
“The new car park rules should be positive but it won’t fix the underlying problems.
“People don’t like change, and with the reversed one-way system and taxi ranks and bus stops being moved around, it’s put lots of people off.”
Michael Grossi, owner of Grossi’s Dry Cleaners, said: “There are no signs about how to access Lochee, it’s ridiculous.
“After all the change people need clarity, and if you’re at the entrance to Lochee, there is a sign for Coldside, about four miles away, but there’s no sign for Lochee High Street.”
He continued: “The parking charges are positive, at least people will keep the flow going and won’t just dump cars all day.
“There’s still the problem that Bank Street itself is completely jammed up by the taxi rank and the buses that come through.”
Lochee Councillor Tom Ferguson said: “It is a daunting task to bring foot traffic into Lochee, and I am aware everyone is trying their best in this sector.
“It is the case that half measures will get us nothing, and the city traders are the hard core of our High Street.”
Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “The regeneration of Lochee is an important project that has already seen a massive amount of development going on in the area.
“It has always been part of the plan to make the Bank Street car park a short-term stay facility to encourage people to drop in to Lochee, use the shops and amenities within a couple of hours and then leave to create a high turnover that will help local businesses.
“There is a buzz about the place that has been absent for some years and the completion of work on the meters at the car park in Bank Street is yet another step towards a vibrant, successful Lochee.”