Councillors debate town parking problems 29/9/14
Investigation into new car park areas around Stornoway, promotion of current unused car parks and the implementation of a ‘Park and Ride’ scheme in the town have been discussed at the Comhairle’s transport committee.
Cllr Charlie Nicolson asked for more signs to promote use of the Acres car park during
weekends and Cllr Norman M Macleod spoke of introducing a multi-
Mr Macleod said: “We have to sit down and identify an area in the centre of Stornoway – and there are a number of properties for sale.
“There’s no reason why a multi-
He added: “If we’re going to maintain the shops we have, we have to see more car parking in the town centre.”
Cllr Angus McCormack called for a ‘Pay and Display’ introduction at South Beach car park
He said: “There’s no doubt we have to be more innovative.”
“We have the problem that by 9.30am there isn’t a space left in town car parks. Most of them are taken up by people working in town, they are effectively blocking their own customers.
“I think we have to do Pay and Display for South Beach, but we’ll have to do it with some consideration of where these people will go.”
Cllr Alasdair Macleod suggested a Park and Ride scheme, with the Newton area of Stornoway identified as an ideal place – although such a scheme proved unsuccessful when attempted several years ago.
Comhairle Leader Angus Campbell said that advertising was the key to making more of the town’s parking.
“We can’t sit on our hands,” he said.
“Surely the simple thing is advertising where the spaces are and that is something we should do.
“People didn’t use the Park and Ride before as we did no advertising at all for that.
“If we want to make the town centre to work I think we have to get more inventive. This is an opportunity to take a fresh look at this.”