“Selfish” dog owners are continuing to flout the rules by abandoning their cars on grass at a popular Perth park.
After reports that drivers were parking on the Lesser South Inch to avoid paying 70p for a ticket, the council put up a number of warning signs on the access route from Edinburgh Road.
But nearly a fortnight on the problem is just as bad, one resident told The Courier.
Between 7-10am most days, a handful of cars can be spotted on the grassy area while people exercise their dogs. As a result, residents fear the park, which is used each year for the Perth Show, will be churned up and left a “muddy mess.”
A nearby homeowner, who walks her dog in the park, “A few selfish people are going to ruin it for everyone. It may only be a small number of people doing it but I’m worried all dog walkers might be tarred with the same brush.”
She continued, “After someone complained to the council and they put the signs up we thought that would be the end of it but it hasn’t made a difference. Folk know it’s unlikely they’ll get caught, especially in the morning.”
She added, “It’s bad enough driving over the grass on a sunny day but I’ve seen cars ploughing over it when it’s pouring, not caring about the damage it could cause.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman confirmed staff were closely monitoring activity at the park. Though the authority isn’t able to impose fines, that could change.
“The council erected the signs in an effort to discourage motorists from parking on the grassed areas, an action which can cause significant damage,” the spokesman said. “The signs are intended to remind people that car parking is not permitted on the Lesser South Inch other than for specific events, such as the Perth Show, and to direct them to use the on- and off-street parking widely available nearby.
“While we are not in a position to issue fines in this instance, we will continue to keep an eye on the situation and would take further appropriate measures if required.”