Pay the penalty! Traffic wardens now patrolling Thurso’s Coop car park and issuing fines
Highland Council is trying to “recoup the costs” of resurfacing the Coop car park in Thurso by fining motorists who overstay two hours, says a local community advocate.
The recently refurbished car park in Thurso, officially known as Meadow Lane car park, will now be enforcing fines for motorists who stay beyond two hours when previously vehicles could sit at the site all day without fear of any penalties.
Community advocate Alexander Glasgow initially highlighted the matter and felt it was necessary to inform the public of the changes. “This is something I mentioned at the June meeting of Thurso Community Council,” said Mr Glasgow.
He went on to say that liability for the Meadow Lane car park refurbishment was initially unsure but Highland Council eventually accepted this and paid all costs.
“However, it seems that part of the deal’s payoff has been for them to be able to enforce parking restrictions and parking fines. I believe it’s a two-hour stay and not to return within an hour. Parking traffic enforcement officers will be issuing penalty tickets.
“I know it’s going to be difficult for local businesses in central Thurso regarding where people can park. However, in the past, a proportion of parking penalties can be returned to the local area committee. I would fully support a proportion of these fines going to the Caithness Area Committee.
“I believe that’s happened in other areas of Highland Council and this could raise money to be spent locally.”
After Mr Glasgow had highlighted the matter, Billy Sinclair from the local community council gave an official comment stating: “Thurso Community Council would like to make local people aware that the parking restrictions at the Coop of two hours will now be enforced as will be all the parking restrictions in the Thurso area.”
Highland Council was unable to provide firm information on the parking fines when initially asked. A sign at the car park that has been in situ for a number of years states that the maximum stay is two hours but this was previously not enforced with penalties.
When pressed, a council spokesperson did eventually provide a comment and said: “Our Parking Service advises that they would now issue a penalty charge notice at the Meadow Lane (Coop) Car Park as per the conditions under item G – Parking longer than the maximum allowed.”
Local Highland councillors had battled to get the car park resurfaced after being inundated with complaints from shoppers.
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Ron Gunn said it was established that under the terms of the Coop’s long-term lease of the site from the council, the latter is responsible for the upkeep of the car park.
Fellow ward councillors Matthew Reiss and Andrew Jarvie had compared the pockmarked car park to an “open cast mine” and claimed the risks to pedestrians, the visually impaired, prams and motorists were stark.