Pledge to review Inverness city centre parking charges
Inverness’ new political leader has promised an urgent rethink on city centre car parking charges.
Independent councillor Helen Carmichael, who was elected to the new joint role of provost and city leader last week, said making the city more accessible for motorists was her first priority.
"The first thing I want to do is revisit the costs and the business plan around that decision," she said. "We need to make it easier for people to come into Inverness."
When the previous SNP-led coalition set the budget in December the council agreed to generate £95,000 by charging on Sundays at all city centre car parks, raising £20,000 through weekend car parking at the council headquarters and £210,000 by changing the charging structure for Rose Street car park.
Short stay costs were later revised following an outcry.
Long-stay parkers have seen the cost increasing by more than 700 per cent at Rose Street car park.
Councillor Carmichael’s comments were welcomed by the business community, who have previously claimed their livelihoods had suffered as a result of the car parking hike.
