Over the next couple of months, the people of
East Dunbartonshire are to be asked for their views on how to
improve parking in and around the area’s town centres.
Until recently, Strathclyde Police traffic
wardens monitored town centre streets but this is no longer the
case. The Council is therefore seeking to introduce Decriminalised
Parking Enforcement (DPE) where its own traffic attendants would
issue fixed penalty notices to offending drivers.
The introduction of DPE will allow the Council to manage and
address a range of known parking problems and concerns to the
public such as
- Supporting local businesses and shoppers in our town centres by
promoting turnover of vehicles and less frustration from those
wishing to use the town centre facilities
- Enforcing Disabled Parking Spaces - increased enforcement of
disabled spaces will improve availability for disabled
drivers.
- Safety issues at schools due to inconsiderate parking.
Any DPE proposal by the Council would however need to be approved
by the Scottish Parliament and the Council must demonstrate that
the scheme is self-funding and sustainable. As well as raising
income through fixed penalty notices, the Council has agreed in
principle to the introduction of charges in order to make DPE
financially viable.
Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of the
Council’s Development & Infrastructure Committee, explained,
“While agreement has been reached in principle, I want to emphasise
to people that no decisions have been taken on any charging
regimes.
“The consultation will explain DPE to people
and outline the processes involved for the Council. It will also
explain the different challenges across our area that arise from
parking, the range of options available to help address these and
give details of the decisions which need to be taken.
“Anyone who visits our town centres will know
that parking is a problem, with the less considerate drivers
amongst us parking on pavements, on yellow lines or anywhere they
think they can leave their car without consequences. For everyone’s
safety and convenience, we need to be in a position to be able to
address these issues which are magnified outside schools and
railway stations.
“We want to hear people’s views and get a feel
for what they think should be done to improve their town centre
experience.”
Drop-in sessions, where people can speak to Council Officers,
pick up a leaflet and complete a questionnaire will be held over
coming weeks. The details are:
|
Date |
Time |
Venue |
| Wednesday 22 February |
12noon-2pm and 6pm-8pm |
Lenzie Public Hall |
| Friday 24 February |
12noon-2pm and 6pm-8pm |
Bishopbriggs War Memorial Hall |
| Monday 27 February |
12noon-2pm and 6pm-8pm |
Bearsden Burgh Hall |
| Wednesday 29 February |
12noon-2pm and 6pm-8pm |
Milngavie Town Hall |
| Friday 2 March |
12noon-2pm and 6pm-8pm |
Kirkintilloch Library |
A leaflet will be produced and widely distributed around the time
of the consultation. As well as being available at the sessions,
there will be copies in Council and other public
buildings.
Further information can be found at
http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/content/transport_and_streets/parking_and_car_parks/decriminalised_parking_enforce.aspx
East Dunbartonshire Council is now on Twitter. For more on
parking and other Council news why not follow us @EDCouncil.
Published on 26 January
2012