The removal of traffic wardens from the streets of Angus is putting public safety at risk, it has been claimed.
The role of police traffic wardens across most of Scotland ended in February following months of consultation with councils, staff and partners.
Six months on, North East MSP Alex Johnstone said the consequences of that decision are now being seen following concerns raised from drivers and pedestrians.
He said: “It seems to me that once again we are faced with the negative effects of a centralised police force.
“Traffic wardens played an important role in discouraging irresponsible parking and allowing people an opportunity to park near shops to make their purchases and support local businesses.
“Lifting the threat of a parking ticket was always going to have consequences and I think we are seeing that now.
“I believe Police Scotland needs to look again at this decision and respond to the concerns of pedestrians, road users and business owners.”
Montrose Lib Dem councillor David May has called on traffic wardens to be reinstated by police before there is an accident in the town.
Mr May said he has received “increasing complaints” from both drivers and pedestrians about the decision by Police Scotland to remove the traffic wardens.
He said: “This has led to more parking on double yellow lines on corners and without question this is a safety issue.
“I have also recently had complaints about the fact that due to the lack of traffic wardens, more and more drivers are totally ignoring the length of time they should park, and are leaving their vehicles for very lengthy periods of time.
“Not only does this mean other drivers cannot find a place to park it also means real problems for our local high streets shops as they are losing business and sales.
“We should be doing all we can to help our high street shops and not what is happening as the result of the Police Scotland decision.”
There have also been reports of people parking in disabled bays on Montrose High Street without a blue badge being displayed.
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.
The relevant provisions of the act began in June 1997. This allowed for significant change 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.
Montrose SNP councillor Bill Duff said Angus Council is progressing the decriminalisation of parking which is a “lengthy procedure”.
Police Scotland did not respond to a request for comment but previously stated legislation changes to most parking offences meant there was no longer a requirement for enforcement to be carried out by the police.