New parking charges in Kirkintilloch and Bearsden delayed
The controversial on-street fees were due to start on November 2. East Dunbartonshire Council says lining and meter work is not yet complete and has not set a new date.
Cowgate in Kirkintilloch, one of the town centres where new on-street parking charges are due to be introduced. · Photograph: Richard Webb (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Controversial new parking charges in East Dunbartonshire have been delayed after they failed to come into force as planned.
The new on-street fees in Kirkintilloch and Bearsden were due to take effect on Monday, November 2.
What drivers will pay
Once introduced, motorists will be charged 50p for every 15 minutes, or part thereof, between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Council: "A slight delay"
East Dunbartonshire Council has confirmed there has been a "slight delay" because work to prepare the affected streets has not yet been completed.
Evonne Bauer, the council's Executive Officer for Community Services, said: "There has been a slight delay in the implementation of parking charges."
"This is due to the need to coordinate the availability of the lining contractor with the final installation of parking meters and signage."
"We expect the remaining works to be completed shortly, after which the parking charges will be introduced."
The council has not given a new date for when motorists will have to start paying.
A controversial plan
The charges have been opposed by some local politicians, who fear they could deter shoppers from town centres already under pressure. Figures published this week showed the number of empty commercial units in East Dunbartonshire rose by around 43% in a year, from 58 to 83.