A Montrose councillor has warned that the town’s parking problems will only get worse despite a blitz by police.
The removal of traffic wardens in February has led to increased parking on double yellow lines, disabled spaces and corners on Montrose High Street.
Shoppers are finding it difficult to park on busy days and Councillor David May has expressed fears that the rogue parking will have an adverse impact on trade.
Police have been out in force, with 34 parking tickets issued during a three-week spell, but the situation has not improved.
Mr May, pictured, said: “There is no doubt that in the weeks leading up to Christmas the traffic problem is not likely to improve and, indeed, get worse.
“I have been in direct contact with the police and it was made clear to me by them that there is no chance the decision on traffic wardens will be reversed.
“My view, and the view of those who have spoken to me, is they want the parking wardens back.
“I have no choice but to accept this decision, although it is clear to me that drivers are not heeding the warnings, so I have asked the police to have more days of action in order to tackle the problem of bad parking.
“As well as the issue of parking on double yellow lines, which are there for reasons of safety, there have been drivers parking on areas designated for the disabled, which causes huge problems.
“Furthermore, drivers have not been keeping to the limited times for parking, which means other drivers cannot get parked, and this is leading to a loss of much-needed business for our local shops.”
Police officers have started to issue parking tickets in Montrose after concerns were raised by Mr May following a string of complaints.
Parking enforcement in Scotland was historically delivered by traffic wardens but the Road Traffic Act 1991 introduced provisions enabling the decriminalisation of most non-endorsable parking offences.
The relevant provisions of the act came into force in June 1997.
This allowed for significant changes to be made to parking enforcement in a number of council areas, and a change to the service provision by local forces.
Decriminalised parking enforcement can be used by councils as part of an integrated approach to parking, town centre management and their responsibilities in relation to Blue Badge schemes.
gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk