Pitlochry yellow lines U-turn after residents protest parking fines

Council bosses say they're removing the double yellow lines after Pitlochry locals were fined for parking outside their homes

By Morag Lindsay

January 27 2025, 6:00am

Residents say there's no problem with parking in Kennedy Place, Pitlochry. Image: Google Maps.

Pitlochry neighbours have won a battle with the council over a parking clampdown outside their homes.

The residents in Kennedy Place objected after they were slapped with fines for parking where they’d left their cars for years.

But now Perth and Kinross Council bosses say they’ve listened to reason and will be removing double yellow lines from the street.

Resident Norman Hawkes says locals are glad the council has seen sense.

But he questioned why it had targeted the area in the first place.

Norman Hawkes standing outside his Pitlochry home — Norman Hawkes is one of the neighbours who complained about the Pitlochry parking restrictions. Image: Marieke McBean.

“We’ve done fine without lines on the road for 20 years,” he said.

“So I don’t see why they thought we needed them now.”

Parking no problem since Pitlochry ambulance depot move

The problems started after the council repainted the barely visible old road markings on Kennedy Place.

The area had double yellow lines when the town’s ambulance station was based there.

But it closed more than 15 years ago.

And locals say there’s no need for parking restrictions any more.

Vets surgery at end of Kennedy Place, Pitlochry, next to public park — The old ambulance depot is a vets surgery now. Image: Google Maps.

The old lines had faded away with time, and the rules had not been enforced for years.

But all that changed when a crew arrived to repaint the double yellows.

“Within two days the wardens were up here handing out parking tickets,” said Norman.

“I know one of my neighbours paid and was reimbursed

“Another just refused to pay.”

Norman and others complained to local councillors.

And now Perth and Kinross Council has confirmed it is acting on their concerns.

Perth and Kinross Council has responded to the Pitlochry parking concerns. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson

A spokesperson said: “Following representations from ward members, we carried out a review of traffic restrictions in the area and have agreed to remove some double yellow lines in Kennedy Place.

“Those near the junction at the entrance to Kennedy Place and at the turning area at the end of the street will remain in place.”

Parking not just a Pitlochry problem

The Pitlochry parking problems follow a similar issue in Comrie.

Perth and Kinross Council said it would be removing restrictions there after residents complained their treatment at the hands of wardens was “bordering on harassment”.

MP Pete Wishart MP and MSP Jim Fairlie held a public meeting in Comrie in September to discuss potential solutions.

The pair said they had been inundated with complaints from locals who had received tickets.