Residents vote to keep parking zones

Published: Thursday 3 March 2022

Graphic showing a row of parked cars from above and one pulling out of a parking space

Residents across South Lanarkshire have made it clear they want to keep zones that protect their right to park near their homes.

The council undertook a major public consultation exercise on the future of Residents Parking Permit Zones (RPPZs), which exist in East Kilbride, Hamilton, Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Carluke and Uddingston.

And more than 80% of those who took part said they wanted to keep their RRPZs, with a £5 per annum administration charge to obtain a permit.

Council Leader John Ross said: “There are a number of places where there is a high demand for parking, for commuters, visitors and businesses, including near town centres and train stations.

“This can lead to real issues, especially for people who live in those areas and, quite understandably, want to park there. Our Roads Safety Forum agreed that RPPZs were an effective tool in controlling these issues, but the question of charging for parking permits is inevitably controversial, and that is why we decided to ask our residents what they thought.

“The overwhelming response was that people want to keep their RPPZs and the parking permits that help them park near home. As a listening council, we are therefore acting on their clear views.”

Letters were issued to 4,286 households in RPPZs on 27 October. Almost a third responded, with 81% of households taking part choosing the option to pay an administration charge of £10 over two years and remain part of their RPPZ. There was a clear majority in favour of retaining the RPPZs across all areas.

Councillors had previously been advised that the administration charge would be one of the lowest such fees in Scotland, and the council’s Executive Committee agreed on 2 March that permits should continue to be issued, with the introduction of the admin fee.