Despite the apparent abandonment of proposals to charge residents in Dundee’s west end £80 per year to park outside their homes, the city council has been urged not to ignore the continuing problems in the area.
A report recommending the plan was dropped following a consultation that found that 80% of residents polled were against the permits scheme.
The news was welcomed by local politicians and West End Community Council however, they were unanimous in stressing that a workable solution has still to be found.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson told The Courier he intends moving an amendment to the report when it is debated at Monday’s meeting of the city development committee.
He wants to force a commitment from the council to review parking restrictions in appropriate areas to increase the overall amount of parking for the benefit of residents.
He said he had been unsurprised by the outcome of the consultation as the council had proposed such an unappealing scheme.
He said: “The parking scheme proposed by the council was never likely to command support. It is not an acceptable proposition to expect many West End residents to pay £80 a year to park outside their homes when residents covered by the Menzieshill parking scheme pay only £5 a year.
“The council must now look for a positive way forward from its failed consultation. Over 600 people responded and there are many good ideas that residents have suggested.
“The council must immediately take steps to undertake a review of waiting restrictions in the area that could free up some additional parking.
Will Dawson, convener of the city development committee, said: “I am pleased that so many people took an active part in the consultation and gave us a wide range of views about the parking situation in their neighbourhood.
“It is clear from the feedback we got that the people who took part in the consultation felt there was not a significantly severe parking problem to warrant the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme.
“In fact, most respondents said they did not have a problem at the times when any scheme would be operational.”
West End councillors Richard McCready and Vari McDonald also welcomed the move.
Mr McCready said he has written to the council to make sure some of the hundreds of consultation comments are actioned and the process is not wasted, adding: “I am glad that the council appears to be listening to the views of local people who have spoken loudly and clearly.”
Ms McDonald said: “The results of the council’s parking consultation clearly show that there is no strong desire in the West End for a residents’ permit scheme.
“Another key factor is that for many of the respondents, parking in the West End is not enough of an issue to warrant the introduction of the scheme.”
West End Community Council chairman Andrew McBride said: “I’m delighted that common sense has prevailed and people are not going to be charged an extortionate amount to park in front of their homes.”