Rose Street parking fees review pledge by new Inverness city leader
INVERNESS’ new political leader has promised an urgent rethink on city centre car parking charges.
Independent councillor Helen Carmichael (pictured right), who was due to be elected to the new joint role of provost and city leader last night, said making the city more accessible for motorists was her first priority.
"The first thing I want to do is revisit the costs and the business plan around that decision," she said. "We need to make it easier for people to come into Inverness."
When the previous SNP-led coalition set the budget in December the council agreed to generate £95,000 by charging on Sundays at all city centre car parks, raising £20,000 through weekend car parking at the council headquarters and £210,000 by changing the charging structure for Rose Street car park. Long-stay parkers have seen the cost increasing by more than 700 per cent at Rose Street.
Councillor Carmichael’s comments were welcomed by the business community, who have previously claimed their livelihoods had suffered as a result of the car parking hike.
Shawn Wynee of the Pentahotel on Academy Street has received complaints from guests who park at Rose Street,
"I think it will be very beneficial because it has been a really difficult time and we had a lot of complaints coming in," he said. "Any decrease in parking charges can only be welcomed, it is time to move forward."
Victoria Erasmus of the Glen Mhor Hotel said motorists had been parking on side streets to avoid the charges, causing congestion.
"I think people feel resentful if they have to pay a lot and parking becomes a stressful experience. We want them to stay longer and to come back, and parking is part of that."
Chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce Stewart Nichol believes a business plan is needed to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
"We need to know how to go forward and how we are going to attract more people in the city centre," he said.
Other priorities for Councillor Carmichael include "fighting for every penny" of money available under the City Deal initiative, which the UK Government last week confirmed would go ahead.
Ideas proposed for the money, which will come from both Westminster and Holyrood, include creating a cultural hub in the city centre, traffic and parking improvements and transforming Farraline Park. Other major infrastructure projects such as the West Link and the creation of sports facilities at Beechwood and Bught Park, could move forward at a quicker pace.
Councillor Carmichael said: "I know some people are sceptical about this money and I can understand that scepticism, there’s been a change of government at Westminster and there are Holyrood elections next year. So we are in a time of change, however I am going to fight for every penny of this money. We need it for the city and for the Highlands."
Persuading public sector organisations to base their offices in the city centre and targeting problem drinkers will also be on her radar.
The roles of city leader and provost were previously split between the SNP’s Ian Brown, who led city committee, and Liberal Democrat councillor Alex Graham, with former council leader Drew Hendry believing it was important to separate the political and ceremonial responsibilities.
He wanted the city leader to be the hard nosed politician who could drive development in the city and makeg key decisions.
However, Councillor Carmichael said she was looking forward to the challenge of both roles.
"It’s only in the last two years that this post has been separated," she pointed out. "Before that it was always the provost who was the leader and I think that’s how it should be. It’s a big job but I’m ready for it and I will be bringing good members in to work with me.
City councillors Graham Ross, Janet Campbell and Jean Slater will be her deputy provosts.
Councillor Carmichael lives in Beauly and has represented the Aird and Loch Ness Ward for 11 years.
