Parking cash to be driven out of Peebles

David Knox • Published 27 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

PLANS to plunder Peebles’ pay parking cash are being hatched.

Current regulations ensure all money raised from parking meters is used on local upgrade schemes.

Over the past two years Edinburgh Road Car Park and Venlaw Road have both benefited from the money raised from Saturday parking in the town.

But moves are being made to centralise the coins taken in Peebles, which come to more than £40,000, and other Border towns - with no guarantee where it will be spent.

Local councillor Catriona Bhatia feels the decisions over where the money goes should continue to be devolved to local members.

She told us: “The reason for retaining pay-parking on Saturdays was to utilise the funds for Peebles. The money has been put to good use in the past but it looks as though this will now end.”

Other small-to-medium sized roads and pedestrian projects currently carried out by SBLocal could also be scaled down under the proposals.

Council chiefs are busily attempting to find £2.5 million of savings from this year’s budget. And they have the even more difficult task of reducing costs by £16 million next year.

Although no final decision has been made on the pay parking cash, finance spokesman Neil Calvert admits proposals are being considered.

Councillor Calvert said: “Parking is one of many things that are currently being looked at by the budget working group. No decision can be made until the proposals for any savings go before the council for consideration.”

It is estimated that the first raft of planned savings will be tabled at Scottish Borders Council’s October meeting. And full details of the proposed £16 million of savings for next year will be revealed in February.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 27 Aug 10

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