Commenting on today’s Cabinet paper on the withdrawal of the traffic warden service by Police Scotland, Cllr Michael Veitch (Conservative Group leader) said:
“The removal of the traffic warden service by Police Scotland, and at such short notice, threatens parking chaos in our communities. In particular our traders, who rely on the turn-over of customers coming into town centres, could be hit hard in the pocket by this decision.
“Something had to be done in the short term, and I am therefore very grateful to the Deputy Chief Executive for her work in securing a deal whereby the local police will respond to any problems arising from the abuse of timed parking as well as dangerous parking, causing an obstruction, abuse of double lines and disabled space enforcement - at NO extra cost to the Council.
“A permanent solution is of course required. It is very important to remember that we are in this position because Police Scotland chose to withdraw our traffic wardens, effectively leaving the Council to sort out the problem. If the Council wishes to decriminalise parking then the Scottish Government demand that income balances costs, hence my concern that we could be effectively forced into charging for parking. That is why I have asked that the Council’s option paper also examines options other than decriminalisation.”