Thousands sign petition calling for U-turn on plans for parking charges

Plans to introduce parking charges on dozens of streets in the southside should be cancelled, according to residents, as more than 7,000 angry locals sign a petition.

The new parking control zones are set to be introduced in Battlefield, Strathbungo and Shawlands – bringing in new pay-and-display bays and permits for residents and businesses.

Residents are demanding that the proposals be scrapped, and community representatives are calling for an urgent meeting over the “flawed” process.

Alasdair Kelly, chair of Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council, said there are concerns about the area losing parking spaces as a result, and the changes will impact “dozens” of streets.

He said: “The majority of people are against the controls entirely. There are a minority in favour if they don’t have a car or cycle.”

He said people would be charged “just to be able to find a space in their own area”.

It is understood new pay and display charges could be in place between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week, costing £1.20 for 15 minutes. Residents and businesses would also have to pay for parking permits.

Mr Kelly said: “We want to sit across the table and talk about the issues.”

He called for alternative approaches rather than the council’s “radical” controls, suggesting parking could be free for the first 20 minutes.

He said there are incidents of “bad parking”, but it could be dealt with by wardens issuing tickets.

The council has been sent a letter this week from the Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council, Langside, Battlefield and Camphill Community Council and MyShawlands Business Improvement District asking for an urgent meeting to address “immediate concerns about NRS’s flawed process for engagement and consultation on this matter”.

It is understood that the submitted petition against the parking zones was not accepted, as consultation was underway.

A council spokesman said: ““We are currently reviewing all of the feedback we received in response to the publication of initial proposals for parking controls in Battlefield, Strathbungo and Shawlands.

“The information provided through our survey and other sources will be carefully considered as we develop the next stage in this process.

“Local community councils have provided submissions on the initial proposals and they will be formally consulted on any proposed traffic regulation order should it be brought forward.

“Parking has repeatedly been raised as an issue in these communities, and our own observations confirm there are issues that require to be addressed.

“In many cities, including Glasgow, parking zones have proven to be successful and help ensure streets are better managed, safer for all road users, easier to access for service vehicles and add to an improved local environment.

“A local authority has no obligation to provide on-street parking for vehicles, but a local authority is responsible for managing the road space safety and particularly parking, once it has become an issue.”