“It feels tone deaf that they would charge people pretty much just to live within their own community.”
Local resident Liam Augustine started a petition against the plans.(Image: Edinburgh Live)
Edinburgh locals have shared their objections to the possible introduction of controversial parking plans in their area. In November, the council recommended the process to introduce a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Lochend should begin this year.
If approved, it would see drivers be required to pay for parking, or buy a permit. Zones have already been rolled out in other areas of the city, with the intention of managing parking to benefit residents.
A mostly residential area, Lochend, and part of neighbouring Restalrig, was earmarked as having several “high-pressure” streets for parking – attributed to displacement from new CPZs nearby. Many homes also do not have a driveway, or space to install one.
Edinburgh Live spoke to several local residents and business owners after a petition against the CPZ was launched by resident Liam Augustine. He believes that Lochend is a community where people rely on their cars for day-to-day responsibilities, and imposing parking restrictions would be disruptive and costly.
The 35-year-old project manager said: “It’s like a blanket rule the council have made. They’re claiming people are parking here and walking into town, but nobody is doing that. That maybe worked in Leith, but it’s much closer to town.
“I’m not going to say it’s not busy around here, but if you restrict the parking, you’ll just get delivery vans boosting up here. It’s safer because the parking is busy and people drive slower – if you take that away it puts people at risk.”
Liam also shared his concerns about residents shelling out for parking permits, given the current cost of living crisis.
He added: “I can’t see a positive consequence. Some people out there don’t have time to worry about things like this, then all of a sudden they’re a few hundred pounds out of pocket to park outside their own homes.
“Other people will be worried about costs. every time you turn on the news you see something about money, or people being worse off.
“It feels tone deaf that they would charge people pretty much just to live within their own community.”
This was echoed by charity manager Beth Strachan, 44. She said: “It would be a big outgoing in terms of cost.
“It doesn’t feel necessary at the moment. I’m really hopeful that what happened in Portobello will happen here, and the people who live here will stand up and tell the council how it will affect them.”
In December, Portobello locals were “over the moon” after plans to introduce a CPZ were scrapped by the council. Concerns were raised over the ‘death of Porty’, with business owners fearing people would opt for nearby shopping centres instead.
In Lochend, businesses said both staff and customers benefitted from the free parking, and expressed their fears over what could happen if charges were introduced.
Jo Myles owns Myles Hairdressing, which relocated to Restalrig last year after the landlord at their previous salon threatened to double their rent. However, she added the location was also affected by parking restrictions.
She explained: “We were on Cadzow Place before, which is part of London Road. We definitely noticed an impact after the parking charges were brought in.
“It’s an attraction for customers – you’re already paying for a service, paying for petrol as well, so it means your day doesn’t get any more expensive.
“From our point of view, if it was taken away it could really destabilise our business.”
Just up the road is Pretty Paws, a dog groomers owned by Laura Galbraith. She said: “People come to me from all over – from Fife, the Lothians, even the Borders, where they do need a car to be able to get down here.
“There’s not that many bus routes pass by, and it wouldn’t be an easy area to park in if there were restrictions.
“This is my first time setting up on my own, and I’ve only been here since August. I don’t want to have to start telling people the parking isn’t free any more.”
If a CRZ was put in place, locals would have to apply for additional permits for their visitors. Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s ridiculous to expect [visitors] to have to pay for the two days, or however long they’re here. I don’t see any need for it.
She added: “I believe our street is only being used for parking by the people who live in our street. The trams are quite a distance away, people only get on buses in their own area.”
Another shared similar views: “I think it’s just a money-making scheme. We’re not near the city centre or a busy shopping area, we don’t have lots of bus routes commuters would use.
“I’m more worried about the impact on visitors, people popping in for just a few hours. I drove to Bruntsfield not long ago to visit friends and it cost me a fortune.”
It has been recommended by the council that a CPZ in Lochend is formally proposed in summer/autumn this year, with a public consultation launched allowing locals to object.
Liam added: “You need a voice within each community to raise local issues and be proactive instead of just complaining about it – and that’s why I’m standing up.”
Transport and Environment Convener at Edinburgh Council, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Under the Strategic Review of Parking we’re committed to easing parking pressures for residents across Edinburgh.
“The policy is about striking the right balance between the needs of residents, supporting local businesses, and promoting sustainable travel. For the Lochend area, these parking pressures have increased in the last two years.
“When we advertise the relevant Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) later this year, residents will have ample opportunity to give their views on the scheme.”