City centre visitors set to benefit from 1 hour free parking at Inverness Rose Street multi-storey car park during June, July and August
Elected members of Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee, which met yesterday (27 May 2021), considered and agreed the proposal to offer city centre visitors at the Rose Street multi-storey car park a 1-hour free-of-charge period during June, July and August 2021.
The initiative – developed by officers at the request of the Inverness City Area Recovery Group – is a core element of the bounce back recovery programme which aims to sustain or increase footfall to the city centre to help recovery after ongoing Covid-19 impacts, in support of retail business on the release of travel restrictions.
The initiative will be cost neutral to service income through the adjustment of tariffs by reducing the first one hour to a zero rate, but applying a modest increase to two longer stay period tariffs.
Provost of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael said: “I am thrilled that Members of the City of Inverness Area Committee have reached agreement to implement a new range of parking tariffs for a three-month period which we are optimistic will increase footfall to the city centre, aiding recovery from the impact of coronavirus and to support retail business as they begin trading once again.
“The revision of the parking tariff structure will allow the Council to introduce a cost-neutral change to the parking provision at Rose Street which will favour free short-term parking of up to 1 hour. The cost of this free-of-charge period will be offset by a modest increase of 80 pence for those parking between 4 – 6 hours. Users who leave their vehicle in Rose Street multi-storey car park in excess of 24 hours will see a rise of £1 on their parking fee for subsequent days.
She concluded: “Anyone affected by the modest rise in the long-stay parking can purchase a parking permit that provides over 50% discount on their annual parking fees. I sincerely hope that businesses will benefit from increased footfall in their premises to aid the city centre recovery from COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, members agreed to the installation of parking meters at two new locations in Inverness on a voluntary basis initially. The two sites are: Torvean Car Park (created as a result of the development of the West Link Stage 2) and Shore Street Quay (in partnership with the Port Authority).
It is intended that these voluntary arrangements will continue in place until such time as a full Traffic Regulation Order can be advertised for Public consultation. Members of the City of Inverness Area Committee will be presented with a further report for their consideration in due course outlining the outcomes of these public consultations.
ENDS