Caithness voluntary parking scheme moves forward with installation of payment machines
Plans for a voluntary parking scheme in Caithness have moved forward with the installation of the first payment machines in local car parks.
In November, members of Highland Council's Caithness Committee approved the “invitation to pay” scheme for seven sites – Dunnet Head, Dunnet Seadrift, Noss Head, Duncansby Head, Reiss beach and the Camps and Riverside in Wick.
The payment machines should all be in place by the end of next month, with visitors invited to make a donation for parking.
The move is part of the council’s £1.5 million visitor management strategy to deal with the influx of tourists visiting the Highlands since the pandemic led to a wave of so-called staycations.
Ticket machines that can take cash and card payments are being installed in each of the selected car parks, with signage inviting payment.
The signage will tell car-park users: “You are invited to pay for your stay in this car park to help support investment in local facilities and visitor services.”
The charges will apply daily, with a maximum stay of 24 hours. There will be a suggested tariff of £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to four hours, £3 for up to 12 hours and £5 for up to 24 hours.
Separately, there will be a motorhome tariff for an "overnight short stopover". This will be £10 for a maximum 24-hour stay, with no return within 72 hours.
Motorhome users will also be told that "all activities must be contained within the vehicle” and that a stopover stay is only valid with a ticket, and only in allocated parking bays where these are provided.
A council spokesperson explained that payment machines are being deployed at 19 sites across the Highlands and all should be in place by the end of April. Six of the seven locations in Caithness sites will allow a short-stay stopover for motorhomes.
The spokesperson said more details will be announced once the installations have been completed and the scheme has become active.
At present, where machines have been installed, the payment mechanism remains covered up.
In November, when the scheme was approved, councillors were told that it would not lead to enforced parking charges.
Councillor Andrew Sinclair (Wick and East Caithness) warned of a “level of concern in the local community” about the introduction of charges and sought an assurance that this would not automatically lead to enforcement.
The council’s principal traffic officer explained that before that happened there would have to be a public consultation and ultimately local members would have the final say.
Speaking at the time, Councillor Raymond Bremner (Wick and East Caithness) pointed out: “It is important that we recognise that this is an invitation to pay voluntarily. Local members have sought assurances that this is not enforceable charging by the back door at a later date, which many in our local community have said they do not want.
"What this will do is allow the local community to benefit from a new income stream that will be wholly based on a suggested voluntary tariff. We will be keen to monitor how effective it is and ensure that communication is maintained with the local community councils.”