Traffic warden service

Car parking charges could be imposed in more parts of Stornoway town centre to help save the traffic warden service.

The Western Isles’ only warden is set to go in four months unless Police Scotland and the Comhairle agree a deal.

Police Scotland axed the service across the country to save money, insisting it is the responsibility of local councils to monitor bad parking.

A temporary reprieve - due to end in March - sees the council and the police splitting the costs at present. The council's £12,000 share covered the income from the pay and display car park in the town’s Perceval Square.

Councillors have agreed to approach Police Scotland with a proposal to develop a permanent shared arrangement.

They want to find out Police Scotland's official view on this as a viable option.

If the police authority refuses to share the costs, the council is willing to pay the full £25,000 to retain the traffic warden.

A transport committee report said: "The additional funding required over and above the current provision of £12K p.a. could be realised as additional income should the pay and display parking provision be extended into other areas of Stornoway town centre."

It is understood charging for parking in the neighbouring fishermen's carpark is being considered by the council.

An option to do nothing and save money by leaving police to deal with dangerous parking was ruled out by the council's transport committee.

It would also have meant axing the enforcement of the pay and display spaces in Perceval Square. Motorists could flout the short stay parking rules if there was no-one to patrol the area, the committee was told.

The Comhairle itself has limited powers to enforce payment from carpark users.

Another way could be for the council to directly employ its own parking enforcement officers. But the legal process is an estimated £205,000 just to set up on top of around £65,000 yearly costs.

Extending car park charging could pay for traffic warden service

29 November 2015