Parking issues discussed at Skye Committee
A new short stay public car park for Broadford could be on the cards after local councillors discussed a range of methods to ease parking pressures on the island at yesterday’s Skye and Raasay Committee.
The Green and Somerled Square public car parks in Portree are to have their short stay car park tariffs amended offering a maximum of two hours car parking at a revised cost of £1 for up to an hour and £2 for up to 2 hours. Alternative free long stay parking will still be available in Portree at the Bayfield car park.
Following the discussions held by members today a consultation will take place with the residents and businesses in Broadford where it is proposed that a new off-street car park (Broadford North) be created for short term parking of up to two hours, the charge for which would be the same as the Portree short stay car parks. This is being proposed as a way to relieve difficulties for the public to access local services in the village and will include a 30 minute free period. Free long stay parking in Broadford would still continue to be available at the Broadford South car park.
Chair of the Committee, Councillor John Gordon said: “My fellow councillors and I are very aware of the parking pressures in Portree and Broadford and following feedback from our constituents we wanted to address the problem as a priority.
“After our discussions today we can now start the statutory process to alter conditions so we can change the two Portree car park tariffs with a set charge that is the same across all council run car parks on the Island. Consultation can also now begin with people in Broadford to get their feedback on proposals on making the new car park a short stay one to ease the current problems people are having on parking to accessing services.
“We now have a full time Parking Enforcement Officer who has been working on n the Island since the 15th August so this and the new parking measures will I feel go a long way to provide a better balance for drivers who want to park up for a quick visit to shops and to access local services and those who want to park up for a longer time.
“As a Committee we will be closely monitoring how these changes bed in and what difference they make to drivers.”