A council “blunder” which left traffic wardens powerless to issue parking fines is being exploited by the public.
Despite a plea by the council not to abuse the situation, some motorists have been enjoying the opportunity for free parking, but the council claim the numbers are small.
Councillor Alexander Stewart, who described the delay in a Traffic Order being lodged to enable fines to be levied as “a farce and a blunder”, disagreed and said it was having a negative impact on businesses, something he feels the council should have foreseen.
Mr Stewart called the situation, which the council said was deliberate to allow new parking rules to be explained to the public, “a fiasco”.
“A council spokesman did say that they would encourage motorists to pay and display as usual, but it is only human nature that individuals may choose to take advantage of the situation and that does seem to be happening,” he said.
“A lack of availability of parking spaces has always been, and continues to be, one of the biggest issues confronting people when visiting Perth city centre and this current debacle is exacerbating the situation.
“The sooner this is resolved the better because it is having an impact on local shops and businesses as in certain streets where there a limited number of spaces and parking time is restricted it is being flouted and the turnover of cars is now non-existent.
“This has been a public relations disaster for the SNP-led administration but the general public are laughing up their sleeves.”
Perth and Kinross Council said that when new parking charges including free 15-minute parking was introduced as a year-long trial on January 11 they wanted parking attendants to “advise and support” motorists.
The lack of fines will last for around four weeks from that date.
Yesterday the council refuted claims abuse was widespread, saying: “From visual checks on vehicles by our parking attendants who have been out every day during the two weeks the trial has been in operation, speaking to motorists and providing advice and information on the changes, people have been continuing to pay and display as usual.
“There is currently little sign that our approach not to issue fines during the bedding in period has been widely abused, but if Councillor Stewart has any evidence to the contrary then we would encourage him to share this with senior officers in the council.”