A CONTROVERSIAL move to increase parking charges in council-operated car parks was stalled last week at a meeting of the Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC).
The ISC voted 7-6 in favour of implementing the proposed increases but a procedural move has meant that the matter will be referred to a full council meeting before a final decision is made.
Commenting following the meeting, Ellon and District co
uncillor and ISC member Rob Merson said: "Such a large percentage increase in car parking charges during the current recession will do nothing to help local businesses in our town centres, and should be deferred.
"The existing level of charges has proved sufficient to deter the all-day parking which was blocking our town centre car parks to shoppers - but we have to bear in mind that our town centre traders have to compete with free parking in edge-of-town supermarkets.
"The SNP Government has been working hard to boost the local economy by removing business rates for small businesses and reducing them for others, and freezing the council tax to help put more money into the pockets of ordinary working families. For the Liberals and Conservatives who run Aberdeenshire Council to then come along with this plan to increase parking charges simply beggars belief.
"It is not so long ago that the Ellon traders had a visit from Lib Dem MSPs Tavish Scott and Alison McInnes, who expressed their sympathy for the plight of the town centre traders – but it would appear that hand-wringing was the only action which they took."
Derek Ritchie of Costcutters was consulted by Scott and McInnes and he is one of the local traders who feel that charges, even at current levels, have had a detrimental impact on business.
Mr Ritchie, who offers to reimburse his customers' pay and display fees, commented: "Hopefully common sense will prevail and the full council will vote against it - to my mind small towns like Ellon shouldn't have parking charges at all.
"I think the council see this as a money making exercise, which is wrong as many businesses in small towns are suffering at the moment."
Ellon Community Council has also strongly advocated that parking charges should be scrapped, suggesting that a 45 minute free period be introduced instead. And this is a solution which has received support.
Audrey Gartly of the Art and Framing Shop backs time limited free parking for the town despite reporting no downturn in trade following the introduction of parking charges last year.
She explained: "In fact just the opposite has happened. My customers have commented that they are resigned to parking charges in most towns.
"But I would definitely support a free 45 minute period to ensure a turnover of short-term parking spaces without the cost penalty."
Ellon and District Liberal Democrat councillor, Isobel Davidson, who was present at the ISC meeting as a substitute, voted in favour of the increase.
Councillor Davidson explained: "It was certainly a difficult decision but it has been three or four years since it last went up across Aberdeenshire and it will be fixed for three years now.
"I thought that a ten pence increase for short stay and a £1 increase for a full day was reasonable."
She added: "I know that people feel that there are less people parking in Ellon, but in reality it has freed up spaces. There were people parking in Ellon all day and taking the bus to Aberdeen and that's what the Park and Ride is for.
"If people go into Aberdeen to shop they are happy to pay for parking - I haven't heard anyone complain about parking charges in Aberdeen - and while there is concern that charges will drive people to out of town stores, I think there's a lot to be said for shops adapting to the times.
"I think the shops in Ellon town centre need to make themselves more attractive to people and ensure they are open when people want to use them. Catwalkers, for example, is now open on Sundays which I think is a very positive step."
If the proposed charges are implemented it will mean that the cost of parking for up to an hour will rise from 30 pence to 40 pence; the cost for one to two hours will rise from 60 pence to 80 pence; and for two to three hours will increase from £1 to £1.50. The charge for three to ten hours will also increase from £3 to £4.
The estimated increase in income for a full year of the new charges is approximately £195,000.
