14/4/2008Homes and businesses will vote on council restrictions to tackle road congestion in West End and South Side
ALMOST 40,000 homes and businesses are being asked to vote in a referendum-style ballot on parking charges in their streets.
And council chiefs today vowed to ditch the congestion-busting scheme in communities where the majority do not back the idea.
Every address in a swathe of the West End stretching out to Anniesland - and part of the South Side around Battlefield - will be sent a letter by the end of the month asking if charges should be introduced.
If approved, the first restricted zones, with meters and residents' permits costing £50 to £100, are expected to be in place by next year.
The announcement of the vote, and detail of the areas covered - comes weeks after the Evening Times exclusively revealed the West End was earmarked for more permit zones.
Glasgow City Council said the public consultation is thought to be the largest of its kind seen in the city.
Councillor Ruth Simpson, the council's executive member for land and environmental services, said the idea was a response to complaints from residents about commuters parking in residential streets.
She said: "Residents tell us that this is a serious problem, leading to a shortage of spaces and some examples of very dangerous parking. It hurts businesses too, with customers unable to park. A lot of people are asking us to take strong action."
But a council spokeswoman added:
"If the majority of people are against it, we won't go ahead with it."
Residents and businesses will be asked three Yes/No questions as well as to say whether they are a business or individual. They can vote with a pre-paid envelope or online.
Attention is likely to focus on the huge part of the West End earmarked for restrictions following controversy over the introduction of similar charges in Woodlands and Hillhead.
Senior councillors and officials are also keen to avert accusation they are not listening to the public amid claims there was insufficient consultation over ongoing plans to allow a nightclub in the Botanics and Go Ape's proposed assault course in Pollok Park.
The West End area covered by the consultation includes St George's Cross, Firhill, Kelvinside, Yorkhill, Partick, Partickhill, Dowanhill, Hyndland, Broomhill, Thornwood, Kelvindale, and part of Anniesland.
It is bounded in the west by Balshagray Avenue, Crow Road, and Bearsden Road as far north as the Forth and Clyde Canal.
The northern boundary follows the canal and part of the river Kelvin, as far as the city centre restricted parking zones. The eastern boundary zig zags around Byres Road and Yorkhill, where parking restrictions already apply on the city centre side.
The nuts and bolts of how the zones will work have yet to be decided, the council said today but:
There are likely to be different parking zones in the West End and South Side, with varying restrictions;
Zone boundaries have not yet been drawn up but will reflect the natural boundaries of neighbourhoods and the will of communities;
In line with existing charges, business parking permits are likely to cost around £700 per year;
Planning rules mean homes built from 2000 must have off street parking or be car-free, so their residents won't get permits;
Where provided, parking meters will operate during certain hours, have a maximum stay and cost 10p for the first 30 minutes and 10p for every 10 minutes thereafter.
A council spokesman said the money raised would pay for administration and enforcement.
The deadline for the responses will be the end of April. There will then be further consultation with community councils and plans drafted by officers will be put on display.
A formal traffic order, required under law, will then be advertised.
THE QUESTIONS THE form will ask whether you are a resident or business, and then ask:
Q1: If you drive or have a car, do you ever have difficulty parking your car on-street near your home/premises?
Q2: Do you think that the introduction of new parking controls would help remove any parking problems?
Q3: Would you like to see parking controls introduced in your area?
Q3: Would you like to see parking controls introduced in your area?
Mar 17
And council chiefs today vowed to ditch the congestion-busting scheme in communities where the majority do not back the idea.
Every address in a swathe of the West End stretching out to Anniesland - and part of the South Side around Battlefield - will be sent a letter by the end of the month asking if charges should be introduced.
If approved, the first restricted zones, with meters and residents' permits costing £50 to £100, are expected to be in place by next year.
The announcement of the vote, and detail of the areas covered - comes weeks after the Evening Times exclusively revealed the West End was earmarked for more permit zones.
Glasgow City Council said the public consultation is thought to be the largest of its kind seen in the city.
Councillor Ruth Simpson, the council's executive member for land and environmental services, said the idea was a response to complaints from residents about commuters parking in residential streets.
She said: "Residents tell us that this is a serious problem, leading to a shortage of spaces and some examples of very dangerous parking. It hurts businesses too, with customers unable to park. A lot of people are asking us to take strong action."
But a council spokeswoman added:
"If the majority of people are against it, we won't go ahead with it."
Residents and businesses will be asked three Yes/No questions as well as to say whether they are a business or individual. They can vote with a pre-paid envelope or online.
Attention is likely to focus on the huge part of the West End earmarked for restrictions following controversy over the introduction of similar charges in Woodlands and Hillhead.
Senior councillors and officials are also keen to avert accusation they are not listening to the public amid claims there was insufficient consultation over ongoing plans to allow a nightclub in the Botanics and Go Ape's proposed assault course in Pollok Park.
The West End area covered by the consultation includes St George's Cross, Firhill, Kelvinside, Yorkhill, Partick, Partickhill, Dowanhill, Hyndland, Broomhill, Thornwood, Kelvindale, and part of Anniesland.
It is bounded in the west by Balshagray Avenue, Crow Road, and Bearsden Road as far north as the Forth and Clyde Canal.
The northern boundary follows the canal and part of the river Kelvin, as far as the city centre restricted parking zones. The eastern boundary zig zags around Byres Road and Yorkhill, where parking restrictions already apply on the city centre side.
The nuts and bolts of how the zones will work have yet to be decided, the council said today but:
There are likely to be different parking zones in the West End and South Side, with varying restrictions;
Zone boundaries have not yet been drawn up but will reflect the natural boundaries of neighbourhoods and the will of communities;
In line with existing charges, business parking permits are likely to cost around £700 per year;
Planning rules mean homes built from 2000 must have off street parking or be car-free, so their residents won't get permits;
Where provided, parking meters will operate during certain hours, have a maximum stay and cost 10p for the first 30 minutes and 10p for every 10 minutes thereafter.
A council spokesman said the money raised would pay for administration and enforcement.
The deadline for the responses will be the end of April. There will then be further consultation with community councils and plans drafted by officers will be put on display.
A formal traffic order, required under law, will then be advertised.
THE QUESTIONS THE form will ask whether you are a resident or business, and then ask:
Q1: If you drive or have a car, do you ever have difficulty parking your car on-street near your home/premises?
Q2: Do you think that the introduction of new parking controls would help remove any parking problems?
Q3: Would you like to see parking controls introduced in your area?
Q3: Would you like to see parking controls introduced in your area?
Mar 17