Drive on to extend free parking in Inverness city centre
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CITY businesses are pushing for an extension to free parking in the centre of Inverness as a year-long trial they have hailed as a success comes to an end.
Backed by the Inverness Courier, Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) persuaded Highland Council to introduce a system of free 15 minutes of on-street parking last year across a broad swathe of the city centre.
Parking meters were converted to provide free tickets for 200 on-street spaces, after research suggested similar schemes have had a positive impact on footfall in other urban centres such as Perth.
The trial period is now coming to an end and business figures, who argue it has been a hit, are hoping it will be extended – both in terms of the amount of time shoppers will be able to enjoy free parking for and the number of sites they can us.
Local butcher Duncan Fraser who has premises in Queensgate said: “The businesses I have spoken to would like to see it extended to half an hour.
“Fifteen minutes is fine, but a bit tight if you have to go to a couple of shops or get caught up in the post office.
“We certainly would not like to see this withdrawn.”
And David Miele, who runs the hugely successful Miele’s Gelateria in Church Street, is also hoping councillors will look at making better use of the parking space available.
“There are too many loading bays which lie empty for most of the day,” he said.
“When wardens pass our premises customers basically get up and go out because they fear getting a ticket.
“I welcome the free parking and would like to see it increased.”
They are being backed in their calls by Inverness Central councillor and depute provost Bet McAllister
“It has clearly been welcomed by the traders and enables people to get in to the town centre and attend to business, but you can’t do a lot in 15 minutes,” she said.
“I would rather see it extended to half an hour so people can pop into a couple of shops, go to the library or even stop for a coffee.”
And she added: “Many older people would benefit greatly from a longer stay.
“We have to look at the bigger picture. The Victorian Market is generally used by older people and it needs more customers. Longer-stay free parking would help.”
BID manager Mike Smith said it believes the free parking has been beneficial.
“Inverness BID subscribes to the view that parking is all part of the city centre marketing offer to the public,” he said.
“We appreciate the financial pressures Highland Council is under, but we should not lose sight of that mantra.”
Shane Manning, principal officer for traffic and planning at Highland Council, confirmed councillors are set to evaluate the scheme’s impact when the Inverness city area committee meets on February 21. They will decide at that point whether to continue with it.
