Don't get caught out with new parking charges

East Dunbartonshire Council wants to encourage residents, businesses and visitors to double-check where they park, and to pay and display if appropriate.

Charges will only apply to vehicles left longer than two hours in seven Council car parks, with 21 car parks remaining free to park.

There will be no charging in the evenings or at weekends.

According to the council, charges are being introduced to help pay for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) locally, but will also help to support town centre businesses by freeing up spaces for shoppers.

People will have to pay to park longer than two hours in the following car parks - which the council says have been upgraded and capacities increased where possible - between 9am and 5.30pm, Monday-Friday.

Kirkintilloch - Barleybank and William Patrick Library.

Milngavie - Douglas Street, Mugdock Road, Stewart Street (North) and Woodburn Way

Bearsden - Roman Road.

After the free first two hours there will be a sliding scale, up to a maximum of £5: 0-2 hours - free; 2-3 hours - £1, 3-4 hours - £2 and over 4 hours - £5.

Charges will be introduced in seven car parks - which will be monitored - totalling 460 spaces.

Parking will remain free at all times in 21 car parks - totalling 749 spaces.

Free car parks include:

Kirkintilloch - David Donnelly Place, High Street, Catherine Street, Rochdale Place, Peel Park, Shamrock Street, Freeland Place, Oxford Street and Southbank House.

Milngavie - Mugdock Road (east), Riverside, Stewart Street (South), Ellangowan, Kersland, Milngavie Station, Milngavie Town Hall and Milngavie Library

Bearsden - Brookwood, The Glebe, Bearsden Burgh Hall and Bearsden Station.

Councillor Alan Moir, Convener of Development and Regeneration, said, “I would encourage everyone to make sure they are aware of the changes from 4 July.

“This isn’t about generating revenue - this is about paying for parking enforcement across East Dunbartonshire and creating turnover of spaces in our town centres - ensuring people can access local shops, services and facilities.

“Parking will remain free for the first two hours in every Council parking space across East Dunbartonshire - as well as being free in the evenings and at weekends.

“This isn’t a decision which has been taken lightly. However, when the Council took on responsibility for enforcing parking restrictions from the Police, the Scottish Government required that the DPE scheme should be self-financing.

“The business case was clear that enforcement fines would not be enough to cover costs and - as a result - charging for some council-owned parking spaces would be needed in town centres.”