Parking payments back on agenda

Plans to introduce car parking charges across Dumfries and Galloway have come in for cross-party criticism.

The option, which could generate £1.7m for the local authority, is being considered as part of moves to help council finances. However, the plan has been criticised by both Labour and Conservative politicians in the area.

They have said it would undermine local tourism and have urged councillors to vote against the plan.

The authority is being asked to agree in principle to look again at the issue.

Regeneration efforts

A report to councillors says charging for parking could help minimise the impact that spending cuts would have on services and public sector jobs.

However, Dumfries and Galloway Labour MP Russell Brown said the proposal would undermine town centre regeneration efforts and hit tourism.

While his Tory counterpart for Dumfriesshire and Tweeddale, David Mundell, urged councillors to reject the plans.

Members of the council's finance sub committee will consider a report outlining the parking charge proposal later this week.

bbc.co.uk, 21st November 2007