The chief constable of Police Scotland has offered a compromise over the looming traffic warden crisis in the Highlands and islands.
Historically, traffic wardens in the north have been provided by the police, but in some other parts of Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, they are employed by the local council.
In October, Police Scotland revealed that it wanted to stop employing traffic wardens in the north as part of a cost-cutting review to enable it to target “priority issues”.
But it would take time for the council to be given the legal powers to take over the warden service.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen House has now said the police service would fund half the cost of providing wardens in the region for up to 18 months – if the local authorities pay the other 50%.
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant yesterday said she met the chief constable to discuss the concerns raised by people living in the region.
She said: “I made it clear to Sir Stephen House that there was not the same opportunity for local authorities throughout the Highlands and islands to ‘self-fund’ the traffic wardens through the funding sourced from the parking fines.”
Ms Grant said the chief constable recognised this and suggested that the police would fund 50% of the cost.
The MSP said she had now written to Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney MSP, to ask him if the Scottish Government would provide the matched funding required.
She said local people were concerned withdrawing the service would result in “mayhem with drivers engaging in a parking free for all”.
Councillor Drew Millar, who is chairman of Highland Council’s community safety, public engagement and equalities committee, said there are currently five traffic wardens in Highland – two in Inverness and one each in Tain, Dingwall and Fort William.
A seasonal warden is also employed for Portree on Skye during the summer months.
He said: “The council has been working extremely hard with Police Scotland since the first day this was mentioned to find a solution and I am confident we will achieve this.”
Members of his committee will today be asked to agree to further research into creation of an integrated warden service and for a business case to be prepared for the preferred model.
A spokesman for Western Isles Council said there was currently one traffic warden operating in Stornoway. He said: “The council is continuing in discussions with Police Scotland with a view to finding an acceptable proposal.”