Voluntary parking charges could be introduced in Dumfries and Galloway

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Parking charges could be introduced in Dumfries and Galloway – with a twist.Currently, it is free to park in all council car parks across the region.However, both the SNP and administration Tory budget proposals include a pilot scheme to introduce voluntary parking charges in two yet to be identified sites.The idea does not feature in the Labour budget proposal.The council is in the process of decriminalising parking so that the local authority, rather than police, can dish out parking charges – although the move does not include plans to introduce charges for parking.But a savings option in the two budget proposals claims voluntary payment could help support the enforcement of parking rules as well as “support investment in transport and roads”.It states: “In looking to strike a balance between managing parking demand and not financially impacting upon the local population, consideration can be given to introducing an invitation to pay’ arrangement.

This involves introducing semiformal parking charges in car parks without enforcing payment.The report – which acknowledges parking charges are “not a popular proposal” – in Dumfries and Galloway claims Highland Council piloted the scheme at three sites in 2021 and it was so successful it can now be found at more than 30 places.It adds: “Parking locations would be equipped with standard parking machines; however, the tariff information board makes it clear that users are invited to pay to use these facilities to help support maintenance of parking facilities/sustainable transport initiatives, rather than being required to pay.” Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway.