Councillors have been advised to overrule objections and expand a controversial controlled parking zone to a community in Aberdeen’s west end.
The local authority received nine letters, opposing the expansion of the regulated area in Rubislaw to Carnegie Gardens, Carnegie Crescent, Moray Place and Morningfield Road at a cost of £45,000.
However, officers have instructed members of next week’s communities, housing and infrastructure committee to push forward with the plans to transform the streets into a mix of residential parking and pay and display.
Proposals were first drafted to restrict parking in the area, following complaints from residents that oil and gas staff had been blocking off driveways with their cars while working at nearby offices at Rubislaw.
Under a controlled parking zone, residents would have to pay £50 a year to park one car on the street outside their home, with £120 a year for a second vehicle.
However, permits are limited to two per household.
One resident responded: “Parking is not a problem in this area. We already pay road tax to be able to park outside our property.
“We take exception to paying an additional penalty tax on top of this to park outside our property.
“Potentially, we have four car owners at our property – as I understand it, home owners are entitled to apply for two permits, so how will this work?”
Another resident, who lives on Carnegie Crescent, close to South Anderson Drive, said: “It’s absolutely needed. Before the oil and gas downturn, this road was very busy with oil workers from Marathon Oil and Conoco Phillips across the road parking everywhere.
“Although there’s less of them now with the downturn, it’s still a problem, and we need a parking zone for it.”
Hazlehead, Queen’s Cross and Countesswells councillor John Cooke said: “The issue of controlled parking zones isn’t straightforward.
“I understand why some folk want one, but there’s no guarantee a permit will allow you to park outside your house, as residents of Union Grove, for example, will testify.
“It can also be a problem when you have visitors. I am concerned that the objections of some residents appear to have been overlooked.
“Ideally, I would like to see a further consultation on this.”
