Dundee City Council has failed to replace parking signs on a Broughty Ferry street, allowing contractors’ vehicles to occupy parking bays all day.
The signs, which limited parking on Gray Street to 45 minutes, were not replaced after the council conducted work on the pavements of one of the Ferry’s busiest shopping streets.
As a result, contractors working to renovate the old Jolly’s Hotel building into a JD Wetherspoon pub are now parking their vehicles outside the premises all day leaving little space for shoppers.
Locals criticised the failure to replace the signs, saying it was having an impact on local businesses.
George Ferguson from Broughty Ferry Community Council said: “This situation is extremely unfair on local businesses. They obviously have to get the signs back as soon as possible.
“In the past they have always just worked around the signs but I hope that local motorists will continue to adhere to the previous laws until the signs are returned.
“The quicker they can move the signs back the better.”
One local trader, who did not wish to be named, said he was very concerned.
“There is no parking space up and down the street one of the busiest, probably the busiest shopping street in the Ferry,” he said. “They are taking up all the spaces for people shopping and visiting.
“The problem is that when they redid the pavements they failed to put the parking restriction signs back up, meaning that they can park there all day.
“It should be about 45 minutes, which is perfect for a bit of shopping, and we really rely on it.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “We are aware of the situation. A new sign has been ordered and will be put in place as soon as possible.”
Despite the criticism, others believe that the lack of parking spaces has had little effect on trade.
Sandro Palidini, a spokesman for the Broughty Ferry Traders Association, said: “We realise that this is a short-term issue brought about by the renovations at Jolly’s Hotel.
“We feel that this issue could have been better handled by the city council.
“However, having said that, we are delighted that the council have undertaken this investment in new pavements, as such things are essential to shoppers.”
A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: “We weren’t aware of this situation until the newspaper brought it to our attention.
“We will ensure that the contractors are told about this immediately and will ask them to ensure they leave sufficient space for local shoppers.”