Two Elgin councillors have launched a petition against a shake-up of parking charges, which they have branded “a decision that flies in the face of logic”.
Moray Council has proposed introducing fees in some areas from April next year in order to free up spaces in the town centre.
These include drivers parking at the train station paying for the first time, with a charge of up to £5 per day recommended.
A report, which went before the council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee last week, said the changes were needed as a “high percentage” of the limited waiting spaces are “overstayed”.
It states: “The car park is routinely full very early in the day because of the convenience for commuters.
“It is proposed that this car park is treated in line with other popular car parks in Elgin.
“Alternative low cost or free parking remains available for rail users unwilling to pay for their parking.”
But now Elgin councillors Graham Leadbitter and Paula Coy have started a petition against the railway station fees.
Mr Leadbitter said: “This is a decision that flies in the face of logic and completely misses the point of what is required to address car parking issues in Elgin.
“It is clear from previous introduction of charges that all that happens is cars are displaced from one part of town to another.
“In this case they will move from the railway station into the already congested residential streets nearby.
“This review clearly has not learned from the mistakes of previous introductions and is in danger of exacerbating issues further.”
Ms Coy added: “It is clear to anyone that looks around the streets like Duff Avenue and Queen Street in my ward that parking charges in Elgin are pushing workers into residential areas.
“The entire point of this exercise was to find solutions to the long standing concerns of residents.
“Not to try and squeeze more money out of already hard pressed workers.”
The report has acknowledged the risk of more motorists using residential streets, but adds: “This will effectively displace other motorists who park on those residential streets at a later point in the day when the station car park is full.”
Although there are proposals to introduce a charge at the railway, reduced rates for the Batchen Lane multi-storey car park and other short stay areas have also been suggested to entice people into town.
