A meeting to discuss controversial parking proposals in Thurso is expected to be packed to the rafters next week as the planned restrictions have come under heavy criticism.
Businesses, residents and members of the public have reacted with fury at the plan to bring in or change restrictions across swathes of the town, including Princes Street.
George Carson owns a popular backpacking hostel on Princes Street in Thurso. Picture: DGS
Fears have been expressed that if the plans are put in place, it could be the “final nail in the coffin” for Thurso, with demands for Highland Council to ditch the parking scheme completely.
One business owner in the town says the existing restrictions on Princes Street have been “a disaster” and some councillors want to see the rules relaxed.
George Carson has run the family business at Sandra’s Hostel on Princes Street for 30 years and is at odds with the council over what he sees as punitive parking regulations.
“There are four different parking restrictions from the top of Princes Street to the bottom and this area outside my business is ‘no parking’,” said Mr Carson, who added that the popularity of the NC500 route has brought many more visitors over the last few years.
George Carson standing outside his business on Princes Street in Thurso. Picture: DGS
“We don’t have a parking space here so they have to go up side streets which get congested. Every business along the road agrees that this parking issue has been a disaster.”
Mr Carson claims that one shop owner moved to a street with fewer restrictions and said that his business has thrived since the move.
Robin McLean from the chip shop across the road from Sandra’s Hostel was cleaning around his business and dusting off a cardboard cut-out of Donald Trump as a novelty window display when interviewed. “That’s just a wee joke. I’ve got an Elvis as well,” he laughed.
However, he said the parking situation outside his popular chip shop was no laughing matter. “It’s Princes Street in Thurso we’re on and not Princes Street in Edinburgh. The street is wide enough for three buses passing each other.
“There’s two traffic wardens going about now and there’s one that seems to hang around Princes Street.”
Robin with the joke Trump cutout outside his chip shop. Picture: DGSPrinces Street had hardly any vehicles on despite it being the run-up to Christmas. Mr Carson says parking restrictions are killing local businesses. Picture: DGS
He explained how the restrictions affect his business, for example when sacks of potatoes are delivered. He says that customers have been handed £50 fines as they wait for their orders.
“I got one myself so I’m now trying to park up a side street but everyone else is trying that too, so it’s a job trying to get parked up.”
A “general consultation” on changes to the parking rules in streets across Thurso was launched in November 2023, with feedback encouraged from members of the public.
A revision of the draft proposals was recently circulated and has caused uproar among local motorists, businesses, workers and others.
A statement on the council website reads: “Following our recent online survey, the Highland Council would like to thank everyone for their responses.
Robin at his chip shop on Princes Street. Picture: DGS
“We have reviewed current waiting and loading restrictions in the town and your views have been considered.
“We are currently putting together a set of draft revisions for Thurso waiting and loading restrictions for further comment and aim to hold a statutory consultation in the New Year 2025.
“Nothing has been decided yet and we welcome any further comments.
“You can send your comments to parking@highland.gov.uk”
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss said: “In general terms, I’d like to see the restrictions relaxed, especially on Princes Street. We don’t want cars parked all day there as this makes it difficult for those with limited mobility to park near shops.
Map produced by Highland Council with proposed new parking restrictions in Thurso.
“In particular, the Olrig Street end of Princes Street needs at least two or three hours of parking allowed. This is a small town so it’s a balance, with flexibility.
“Some residents in the side streets have asked for on-street parking permits to be introduced. I have an open mind on this but hope there are lots of responses to the consultation.”
Some councillors in Thurso had unsuccessfully tried to get the local authority to suspend traffic enforcement in the run-up to Christmas. When asked about the matter, Highland Council posted a link to a Thurso Traffic Management document it has prepared based on the previous consultations.
The link leads to a file containing maps and tables showing the new schemes it suggests. Much of Princes Street would be changed to “Limited Waiting 8am-6pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour”.
Iain Gregory, a former police officer who now runs the pressure group Caithness Roads Recovery (CRR), said: “There is a huge level of public concern following the recent publication by the council of their parking proposals.”
Iain Gregory from Caithness Roads Recovery campaign group fears Highland Council’s parking proposals for Thurso will be a ‘step too far’. Picture: DGS
Mr Gregory said that when CRR posted a link to the document on its Facebook page recently the response was “overwhelming”.
He added: “There have been thousands of page views, and numerous shares, along with a very substantial number of comments – not a single one of which has been in favour of the proposals.
“We have heard from business people who have expressed their views that the proposals will be ‘the final nail in the coffin’ and that the proposals will lead to ‘the wholesale destruction of the heart of Thurso’. We have heard from residents, shoppers, and key workers alike, and there is no doubt that this plan is one step too far for the Inverness-based council.”
Mr Gregory said there is a desperate need to revitalise town centres and make them more welcoming. “We call upon Highland Council to listen, just for once, to the people and cancel this proposal immediately.”
A special meeting of Thurso Community Council will take place at the Pentland Hotel in Thurso at 7pm on Tuesday, January 7.
Mr Gregory said he expected it to be “standing room only” as there was such an intense interest in the parking situation in the town.
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