 Consultants say car parking charges should not be ruled out |
Consultants commissioned to draw up a parking plan for Dumfries town centre have said charges may have to be introduced to finance the strategy. They said it was an option which should be included in the business case to tackle the long-standing issue.
MVA based the proposed strategy on the results of an in-depth study of traffic flow and car parking trends.
It has recommended a series of short, medium and long-term measures, but all of them would require finance.
In the report the consultants said part of the funding required may be realised from the sale of a number of small existing car parks.
Private sector investment may also be needed, according to the study.
Continued opposition
However, further local authority funding will be required and councillors have been cautioned not to rule out parking charges for the time being.
The overall proposed strategy includes recommendations to develop a public transport interchange at Loreburn Street in the town.
A number of car parks would be sold, new facilities created and a town-wide two hour maximum waiting time introduced.
However, council convener Tommy Sloan has voiced his continued opposition to car parking charges in Dumfries or anywhere else in the region.
In a written statement, he said the Labour administration had always opposed such a move and would continue to do so.
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