Charges proposed for 27 Sutherland car parks
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Further details of the Highland Council's draft proposals for introducing off-street car parking charges in Sutherland, and across the region, have been revealed.
Following on from last week's front page article on the possible implementation of charges in the North West and Central Sutherland ward, we can now detail plans for the East Sutherland and Edderton ward.
These include proposals to charge for parking at the car park next to Brora Golf Club; the mainly residential car park behind the Stag's Head in Golspie; and the bays in front of the Dornoch Castle Hotel/Courthouse and Jail.
These were discussed at the recent meeting of the Sutherland Ward Forum and will now go out to community consultation.
The total number of car parks in Sutherland which are being targeted is 27.
The Highland Council has 230 off-street car parks throughout the region and currently only charge at 20.
The average tariff being considered for Sutherland car parks is £1 for one hour and up to £4 for 12 hours. At certain sites, there is a separate charge for motorhomes, although most will have motorhome restriction.
Also under discussion is how much surplus income from charges will be split between the council and the local community. The preferred division is 60 per cent to the local authority and 40 per cent to the community.
Already there is anger about the proposals. Those in the north and west – already struggling with motorhome traffic on the North Coast 500 – believe it will push motorists to "wildpark" on verges, as many do already.
And Colin Thompson, owner of the Dornoch Castle Hotel argues that taking away the parking bays in front of his establishment will adversely affect footfall.
Consultation will be with community councils and key stakeholders.A Traffic Order will be created in response to the feedback collected. The final decision will be at Sutherland County Committee level, whose members will have the option not to introduce charging. There are planned engagement events throughout the county.
Highland Council are looking at May for introducing the policy. And they say that new enforcement jobs will be be created across the Highlands.
The following car parks are included in the review: Ward 1 – Achmelvich, Inchnadamph, Bettyhill, Clachtoll, five in the Durness area (at Ceanabeinne, Keoldale Ferry, Sango Sands beach, Smoo Cave, and the Square), Kylesku, two in Lairg (former Sutherland Arms Hotel and the main village car park), three in Lochinver (Cruamer main village car park, the middle car park and the surgery), Tarbet and Bonar Bridge.
Ward 4 – Three in Brora (Golf Road, Gower Street and Lower Brora), two in Dornoch (Meadows and the Square), three in Golspie (Fountain Road, Shore Street, and the rear of the Stag's Head Hotel), and two in Helmsdale (the Bridge and the Harbour).
There may be opportunities to have residential permits.
Mr Thompson told the NT: "I really am quite angry about the proposals re the parking bays outside the hotel and the Courthouse and Jail as I do not consider them to be 'off-street'. Most of my customers arrive about 3pm and unload – are they now going to have go and find a meter or whatever and pay as soon as they arrive?
"It will also just make the other streets in Dornoch, which are already busy, even more congested.
"I have to say I feel sorry too for villages in the north and west who had been struggling economically but were boosted by the NC500. But then the council come along and slap parking charges on."
The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC) is currently hoping to purchase the former slaughterhouse land in the town to develop, in partnership with the Highland Council, into a coach and car park (40 bays plus six coach bays) to encourage parking away from the main square area – in particular this would clear The Square of the many coaches which often congest it.
