A leading business group has warned that badly managed parking is hampering efforts to turn around Scotland’s high streets.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) wants the Scottish Government to step in and help save town and city centre retailing.
FSB is also looking for a stronger link should be made between parking income, road maintenance and high street regeneration.
RAC Foundation figures published earlier this year showed Scottish councils made more than £40million from parking in 2015-16.
Most of this – about £37million – was generated by parking penalties in the country’s three largest cities.
Edinburgh City Council generated £19.4million from parking in financial year 2015/16, Glasgow City Council made £12.6million and Aberdeen City Council £4.9million.
Launching the call for a clampdown on “bad parking policies”, FSB’s Aberdeen-based Scottish policy convenor, Andy Willox, said: “Everyone in Scotland wants our high streets to flourish.
“We want shoppers to be tempted away from their computers to use the fantastic goods and services provided by local independent retailers.
“But if it isn’t cheap and convenient to visit a high street or town centre, people won’t bother.
“Two thirds of working families have a car – we need to design our local places with these people in mind.”
In a submission to Transport Scotland, the small business campaign group says affordable and accessible parking is vital to sustain a healthy local high street – and that if shoppers cannot find it, they’re more likely to go online or visit an out-of-town mall.
FSB also highlighted figures from Audit Scotland showing one-third of Scotland’s local roads were in an unacceptable condition as it called for a clearer link between parking fines, road maintenance and high street regeneration.
In addition, the business group wants to see more ticketless parking systems. “21st century parking should not mean rattling around the glove compartment for change,” Mr Willox said.
He added: “Wherever possible, paying for parking should be as easy as sending a text message.”
Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said a relaxation of parking enforcement in the Highland capital was “chaotic”.
He added: “We had around 18months of non-enforcement of parking in the immediate aftermath of the setting up of Police Scotland.
“Parking in the city centre was quite chaotic and verging on dangerous.
“Highland Council have stepped in with their new parking enforcement staff, and engaged with businesses in the city centre to explain the rationale and to listen to and act on the concerns of businesses.
The council is currently considering the introduction of an “initial period of free parking” in response to feedback.
Mr Nicol said: Their appropriate enforcement of regulations has resulted in a smarter, safer and more pedestrian friendly city centre which benefits visitors, locals and – most importantly – city centre retailers.
