An initiative to boost footfall in Perth and Kinross looks set to be repeated over the festive period.
Free After Two car parking was introduced last year and will see free parking after 2pm on each Thursday and Friday from November 28 until January 31, inclusive, if agreed by the local authority. It will operate in the East and West Mill Street car park in Perth, the Speygate car park and Scott Street and Canal Street multi-storey car parks.
The initiative will also operate in town centre car parks in Blairgowrie, Crieff, Dunkeld and Pitlochry.
Perth and Kinross Council is also considering a pilot project of a pay-on-foot parking scheme at the South Inch car park in Perth. This would be an alternative to pay and display and will allow drivers to pay when exiting the car park, with the cost dependant on how long they have stayed.
Councillor John Kellas, Perth and Kinross Council’s convener for enterprise and infrastructure, said: “The Free After Two initiative was generally welcomed by local retailers last year and it is a demonstration that the council is committed to supporting their businesses and the local economy in general.
“It also supports the Winter Festival activities that are held in Perth over the festive season.”
He added: “The South Inch car park is an ideal location for the pilot scheme. It is our second-largest city centre car park, with 454 spaces, and it attracts a mix of local residents and visitors to the city. It is also in close proximity to the South Inch play park, which has recently been refurbished to provide excellent facilities for families.
“The pilot project will require some works to be carried out at South Inch but we hope to have pay-on-foot in operation by early 2014. A report will be brought back to committee at a future date on the success of the scheme.”
The parking proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the environment and infrastructure committee on Wednesday.