Agendas, reports and minutes

 

In relation to the agenda circulated for the above meeting of the Nairnshire Committee, please find attached the following Urgent item of business.

 

 

 

In October 2019, the Council agreed a new approach to considering the introduction of car parking across the area.  The approach was paused at the start of the pandemic and it has not yet been possible to re-start.

 

However, over the summer season 2020, many communities including Nairn experienced significant traffic management challenges as a result of an influx of visitors.  It is predicted that the increase in car parking pressures in Nairn with the lifting of lock down measures and increase in staycations will continue for the 2021 season.  

 

To support traffic management during the 2021 season, it is proposed to install charging machines at three sites in Nairn on a voluntary basis.  Charges would not be enforced, and signs would be erected to confirm payment was being sought on a voluntary basis to support infrastructure.

 

The three sites proposed are:

• The Harbour

• Cumming Street

• The Maggot

 

Officers would implement a tariff structure consistent with the rest of the Local Authority area.

 

All three sites are Common Good properties therefore the Common Good would be the beneficiary of income as a result of this proposal and this could mirror the arrangements already in place elsewhere in Highland.

 

It is proposed that this approach is adopted for the summer season 2021 and a consultation would take place later in 2021 to determine the approach going forward.  This could consider whether a voluntary scheme of charging is introduced, charging with enforcement is introduced or whether no charging is introduced.  Learning from the 2021 season could inform this consultation.

 

Members are asked to agree to the installation of parking charge machines at Cumming Street, the Harbour and The Maggot in Nairn for voluntary payment only for the 2021 season to support more effective traffic management in the area.