Parking Control Zones: 'Our area could lose its unique identity'

Residents in Glasgow's southside are waiting to hear whether the council will bring in controversial parking charges on many of its streets.

Thousands of people in Battlefield, Strathbungo, and Shawlands have voiced opposition to the proposals, which they claim could "cause substantial harm" to residents and businesses.

Glasgow City Council (GCC) launched a survey on the proposals at the end of last year and said the new Parking Control Zones (PCZs) would make the streets safer and more well-managed.

It is now carefully reviewing thousands of survey responses, as well as a petition that had 7,000 signatures, with a report on its findings expected by early summer.

Josh Henderson, who lives in Battlefield, says the issue has ignited the local community unlike anything he has seen before.

Henderson, who has been part of his community council for two years and was recently elected chair, said: "Everybody's talking about it. Everyone is frustrated with it.

"You're hearing about it in the roll shops, the guy that runs local dairy and the cafes, everybody in the local area, local businesses, residents, they're all talking about what is this going to mean for us?"

According to Henderson, opinion is overwhelmingly against the plans - and the community feels a decision has been made without them.

The council says no decision has been made and it will discuss its findings with the community at a later date.

The original proposals for Parking Control Zones (PCZs) were outlined when a consultation was launched at the end of last year.

The general proposals, in line with those already in place in the city centre and the west end, could possibly introduce resident permits costing between £80 and £220 per year depending on how polluting their vehicle is deemed to be.

Business permits will be priced at just over £1,000 annually.

A new pay‑and‑display system, with a maximum stay of three hours, would charge £1.20 per 15 minutes. It would operate from 08:00 to 22:00, seven days a week.

Parking is mostly free across Battlefield, Strathbungo, and Shawlands, although available spaces can be hard to find.

The council's proposals indicate that all parking spaces would be designated as shared use, meaning that permit-holders would not be guaranteed a space.

At the end of last year, GCC set up several drop-in events and a six-week survey to gather views from each community.

This was met with residents and business owners submitting a petition demanding the parking charges be dropped.

Henderson says there is a real strength of feeling from local businesses who have banded together against the plans.

They are worried the costs could impact staff and customers as well as affecting the "unique quality" of the area, he says.

"One of the things about this area that's so brilliant is that that there are so many small to medium enterprises.

"One example is in Battlefield, there's Big Bear Bakery, which is a TikTok sensation.

"If you walk down Sinclair Drive on a Saturday morning, there's queues about as long as the street."

Henderson points out that these businesses often attract people from outwith the southside.

He's worried that introducing parking controls will disrupt this, leaving local businesses not only facing reduced profits but also having to pay for parking permits at a time when they're already financially stretched.

"If small businesses have to shut their doors, more big chains would come into the local area and it would lose its unique identity," he said.

"We are seeing more larger chains introducing themselves into this area and broadly speaking, it's not particularly popular to see the likes of a Starbucks open."

Alex Matheson and Jen Doherty, who own and run the long-established Battlefield Rest, say they have serious concerns.

They rely on a car to pick up fresh stock for the restaurant every day.

They would have to pay for both a business permit and a resident permit, as they live in one of the areas affected by the PCZs.

Jen admits the lack of available parking spaces is currently an issue but doesn't think charging £14 for three hours will help her customers.

"We have customers telling us they can't get parked, and they cancel their booking, the one thing they bring up is the parking," she said.

Jen says things are tough and trade has become slower and slower every year because of the cost of living.

"The council should be working to help folk, but instead they are getting hit with another tax," she said.

"We are keeping our head above water but we aren't exactly swimming in it."

Jen and Alex say it would be very upsetting if they lost staff due to the parking restrictions.

"They shouldn't have to pay that amount of money to park for their work, they already pay enough taxes," she said.

Neil Bolland, who owns Common Ground, a small coffee shop also in Battlefield, says that community is a key part of why he opened his business, which his daughter also works in.

"I wanted something that was community-focused and I wanted to be part of it rather than just kind of drive-in and drive-out again," he said.

Neil worries that the council's proposals could have a big impact on his customers and business.

"Is somebody going to really want to park and pay £5 to come in and sit and have a cake and a cup of coffee?

"Or are they going to just drive to a Starbucks or a Costa and park outside the door?"

He says there has been an emotional toll to dealing with the proposals from the council.

"It's the feeling, it's the worry, it's the stress, it's the anger," he said.

"You feel the weight of that. It feels heavy."

A spokesman from Glasgow City Council said it will be ready to report back to communities and "present a way forward" early this summer.

"No decisions have been taken about the final design of parking zones for the three communities involved," he said.

"When we do report back in the early summer, we will be seeking further dialogue with all three communities on managing parking pressures in their local areas."

He added: "It is appropriate to take time to analyse carefully all of information received to help us understand fully the issues associated with parking in these communities.

"We want to balance the needs of all road users and ensure the roads network is managed as safely and efficiently as possible."