A north-east community group battling to reduce local parking congestion has proposed using land at a nearby power plant to stop cars clogging their streets.
Boddam Community Association has called on Thistle Seafoods’ employees to stop leaving their vehicles parked outside local homes, rather than parking at the shore front factory.
Association member Sam Coull has contacted both firm boss Ryan Scatterty and Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Jim Savege in his effort to clear the village’s narrow roads.
And now Mr Coull has approached energy firm SSE, which operates the nearby Peterhead power station, in a bid to find alternative parking spaces.
In his letter, Mr Coull said: “In trying to resolve this growing difficulty, our Boddam Community Association wondered if SSE, as adjacent landowners, would be able to help Thistle Seafoods find additional parking space.
“It goes without saying that our village would be extremely grateful if we could have these vehicles parked somewhere near to where their owners are employed for most of the day.”
Mr Coull, a former local councillor, has stressed that he and the community association welcome the presence of the successful employer in the village.
His latest letter has also been forwarded to Aberdeenshire Council. The local authority has already responded to Mr Coull to say it is “aware of the concerns”.
Thistle Seafoods managing director Ryan Scatterty has encouraged staff to find alternatives to parking around the village – including providing five buses to and from the factory at a cost of £80,000 per year.
It is understood the fish processing firm is not in a position to buy more land to provide a car park at present however is working to provide even more bus options.
Thistle Seafoods employs about 450 workers, who need to be at the Boddam factory from as early as 6am to meet delivery deadlines across the country.
SSE has declined to comment on Mr Coull’s proposal at this stage.
