Road safety concerns in streets surrounding Perth Royal Infirmary could lead to new parking restrictions being imposed.
Overspill car parking from the hospital has resulted in the nearby Cornhill Road being used more and more as a parking area for those wishing to gain access to medical services.
The nature of the road, however including its corners and steep gradients means that this could create a serious road safety hazard.
A number of residents have expressed their fears to their local councillors, asking them to look into the issue.
After informal discussions with residents and elected members, including Perth councillor Willie Wilson, the council’s roads service has proposed extending parking restrictions in Cornhill Road.
Copies of the outline plan together with minutes of council discussions have now been circulated to local householders to keep them updated.
In the new information sent to residents, a council officer notes: “In 2010, for Cornhill Road, the council agreed to the introduction of sections of waiting restrictions.
“Since these have been installed, the problem of indiscriminate parking has now moved to areas where there are two acute bends, one of these on a steep hill.
“The local community has now expressed concerns that motorists parking on these bends are making it extremely dangerous for other road users.
“As a result, they have requested further waiting restrictions to deter this practice.”
The residential streets surrounding PRI have long experienced problems with parking, with some motorists leaving their cars indiscriminately across drives, on corners and at junctions.
Initially, the problem was linked to the introduction of parking charges, which resulted in many people attending for appointments or dropping people off parking nearby.
Over the years, the council introduced yellow line waiting restrictions and advisory white “H” markings at different times and at various locations in a bid to keep traffic flowing and help keep private driveways clear of parked vehicles.
Parking charges were eventually removed from PRI’s car parks in 2009, following intervention by the Scottish Parliament.
It was hoped that this would go some way to improving the parking situation in the surrounding streets.
However, although the PRI car parks are now free of charge, there are still maximum time limits, which means they are often not suitable for longer, work-related parking.
One resident who lives near to the hospital said: “It’s a real problem around here it goes on all the time.
“Most of the people who park here have no consideration for the people who live here.”
Mr Wilson admitted that the process of addressing the parking concerns on Cornhill Road was moving “fairly slowly” but said he hoped the outcome would be improved safety.
“The vast majority of local residents are in favour of taking action in this matter and I support them totally,” he said.
“A report prepared for the council drew attention to the condition of the road, which includes two acute bends.
“I welcome the proposals for increased restrictions on this road and, although going through formal consultation will take more time, it is important that we get the right solution to this problem.
“We cannot compromise on road safety and action is clearly required in this matter.”