After years of being blighted by vandals and “boy racers”, a Perth car park is to close its doors at night.
Work is under way at the Dewars Centre to install new gates in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour.
Since being taken over by Live Active Leisure last April, the parking area has undergone a significant regeneration as part of efforts to make it safer for those who use the ice rink and leisure pool.
This has included replacing missing fencing around the facility and installing new lighting, as well as painting over obscene graffiti that has been daubed on walls and columns.
It is hoped that the latest step will prevent the car park being used as a meeting ground for young motorists, who regularly congregate at night to show off their cars and play loud music.
The move is also aimed at stopping vandals from being able to damage the property after hours.
A spokesperson from Live Active Leisure confirmed that the gates were being installed to prevent antisocial behaviour once its facilities have closed for the day.
She said: “We are putting the gates up so we can close the underground car park overnight.
“The gates we are putting in are for when the facilities at Dewar’s and Perth Leisure Pool are closed to prevent anti-social behaviour. We want to stop the car park being used after hours.”
She also revealed that usage of the car park is being monitored as part of efforts to dissuade commuters from leaving their vehicles there all day.
She added: “We are trying to establish between those who aren’t facility customers and those who are. Obviously, the car park is for the benefit of our customers.
“They have been facing difficulties due to commuters parking on that site, so that is why we are monitoring the usage.”
The spokesperson confirmed that while there were no “firm plans” to introduce charges to the car park, which is currently free, she said it was under consideration if Live Active Leisure customers report any further issues with finding spaces during the day.