A north-east community is appealing to a fish processing firm to get its workers to stop hogging the roads.
Thistle Seafoods employs about 450, who need to be at the Boddam factory from as early as 6am to meet delivery deadlines across the UK.
But the workers, many of whom drive their own cars to the plant, are parking on kerbs and outside local people’s homes because they cannot find a space within the plant.
Boddam Community Association has now written to bosses, urging them to look at expanding their car parking facilities to take the strain off local roads.
Last night, the firm acknowledged the problem and said steps were being taken to tackle congestion – while inviting anyone who may be able to offer a solution to get in touch.
Managing director Ryan Scatterty stressed the company was already doing what it could to ease congestion.
“We provide and pay for five bus runs for our employees which costs us over £80,000 per year,” he said.
“We have also been able to get two further public services put on through Stagecoach.
“Our site is landlocked by the North Sea to our east, and the village to our west. We have the harbour to our south and the power station to the north.
“We haven’t been able to purchase land to help alleviate the situation.
“Everybody would like to see less car usage, but throwing in additional car parking space – wherever – won’t solve this.”
Earlier this month, Boddam Community Association wrote to bosses urging them to look into expanding its car parking facilities to take the strain off local roads.
In it, group member Sam Coull said: “It must be made clear that we welcome the employment given to some 450 people, Thistle’s contribution to the north-east economy and the growing popularity of its product.
“Less welcome has been the overspill of employee vehicles into neighbouring village streets.
“I’m sure you must have noticed choked kerbsides in Seaview Road, Harbour Street or View Gardens for example, which makes resident parking difficult and, at times, impossible.”
