Perth neighbourhood 'rammed' with cars on 'tiny street' blocking locals in

A North Muirton neighbourhood is appealing for help as the tiny Perth street is regularly “rammed” with commuter cars, reportedly sometimes blocking and damaging residents’ cars.

Cumbrae Place resident Fiona said her car had been damaged “numerous times” and she has been unable to park in her lock-up due to staff cars from nearby car showrooms blocking it.

Perth and Kinross Council said it is aware of the issue and said parking attendants regularly carry out patrols of the area, while a Perth City Centre councillor said work was under way to mark out parking bays for courts and yellow lines and boxes.

According to Cumbrae Place resident Fiona, the issue began when nearby car showrooms removed staff parking, forcing employees to park off-site.

She said: “The residents in our street are looking for some support. The very small street of Cumbrae Place in North Muirton is now being rammed with staff cars from the garages since they have removed staff parking to get more cars on their forecourt.

“The council stress it’s a public road but when the parking becomes a danger then it’s a different story.

“My car has been damaged numerous times at a cost to me as the people squeezing in don’t bother to leave a note, they just drive off. The cars are parked right up to the corner. I also paid for a lock-up that I couldn’t use for my car as it’s blocked off with garage staff cars.

“The council refuses to help but if I was to drive over their grass to park at my door they would soon have something to say. I have my non-verbal autistic grandson living with me and often have to park in other streets then walk home. I have been blocked in due to terrible parking that I have been unable to get out to work.

“People need to be respectful of residents’, animals’ and children’s safety.”

A PKC spokesperson said: “We are aware of limited parking spaces in the North Muirton area of Perth and carry out regular patrols in the area. Action is taken when a contravention of parking regulations – such as parking on a pavement or on double yellow lines – is observed.”

Depute Provost Andrew Parrott said it was a widespread problem.

The SNP Perth City Centre ward councillor said: “On-road parking is a difficult issue in many localities, to varying degrees, and local solutions are very difficult to find.

“The matter of commuter/worker/staff parking in residential streets is part of that difficulty. Sadly inconsiderate parking is not necessarily illegal parking.

“But cars parked in such a way that exit from a garage is blocked is obstruction and is a police matter.”

Local Conservative councillor Chris Ahern said “unfortunately” there was nothing to restrict commuters using North Muirton as a car park and introducing permits would cause problems for residents but he was working with officers to tackle the problem.

Bailie Ahern said: “Parking has always been an issue in North Muirton and I have spent a lot of time over the years trying to sort it out. I am currently working with officers to ensure cars comply with the law with regards parking and courts are going to get parking bays marked out and yellow lines and boxes will be put in where parking is a safety issue and preventing access to garages.

“People have used North Muirton as a car park and, despite writing to all the Dunkeld Road car businesses, nothing changes.

“Courts close to Arran Road also have an issue with the businesses from there. People also park in North Muirton and get the bus into the city centre. Unfortunately, anyone can park in a public road and residents would suffer if restrictions such as permits were brought in. This is an ongoing problem and I will continue to meet the next challenge.”

A spokesman for the nearby Kia dealership on Dunkeld Road said: “We’ve not had any issues. We’re quite a small dealership and have five or six members of staff that park off-site.”

He stressed staff were “nice and considerate people” and would not park in such a way.

The neighbouring Camerons Volvo dealership also has no staff parking on site and staff have been told to park considerately.

An employee said: “I have had an issue where a resident has been quite aggressive. We have been told a few times not to park in cordoned-off places. We do understand it’s difficult for residents and we have tried to be more respectful and don’t park on the corners or block anyone in.”