'Draconian' parking restrictions in centre of Thurso need to be reviewed, say community councillors
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A CALL has been made for a full review of the "draconian" parking restrictions in the centre of Thurso. It came from the town's community councillors who are concerned the problem is affecting businesses as well as local people and visitors.
"We need to look at this again," said chairwoman, Thelma Mackenzie at a special meeting held last week.
Billy Sinclair pointed out that there are three different parking restrictions in Princess Street – 30 minutes, one hour or no parking at all. "It is crazy. Who decides these things. It is terrible," he said.
George Carson, who runs Sandra's Hostel in Princes Street, wanted to know why Highland Council "let this happen" and called for a resolution as quickly as possible as the restrictions can have a detrimental impact on businesses. "This is wrong and needs to be fixed," he said.
Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, Matthew Reiss, said officials can tweak the hours a bit but if widespread changes are needed then a new traffic regulation order may be required. The former police officer described the parking restrictions in the lower part of Princes Street as "draconian" and claimed a two hour waiting time would be better. "Enforcement of the regulations should be done with a light touch and common sense," he said.
Community councillor, Colin Johnston, replied: "Some people don't have common sense. It is like talking to a wall.
Billy Sinclair also backed a two hour parking restriction. "This is our town and that's what we want so the council should get on with it," he said.
Thurso provost and Highland councillor, Struan Mackie, described parking in Princes Street as "a Horlicks of a situation" and agreed that restrictions impact on businesses, tourists and locals. "This needs to be sorted. I am personally disappointed it is taking so long to fix."
Ian Gregory said the existing restrictions are "very business unfriendly". Apart from road safety issues he wondered "why they are needed in the first place."
"This is being imposed by Inverness and needs to be dealt with by some common sense. We need a complete review," he said.
Mr Carson claimed the restrictions are resulting in drivers parking on side streets and causing congestion there. "It is a bloody disaster," he said.
Treasurer, Elspeth Husband agreed and claimed there is insufficient parking capacity in the centre of the town.
Councillor Reiss said Mr Gregory's point about why the restrictions are needed is "worthy of consideration" and pointed out that he recently had been on holiday in Corsica. "There was more traffic there and narrower streets but not a single yellow or white line to be seen. It policed itself. "
He said "totally inconsiderate parking should get a ticket" but felt common sense should prevail in other instances.
Mr Gregory, a retired senior policeman, said if the traffic regulation needs to be changed then "let's get it done."
He added: "We are trying to to encourage business and need to rejuvenate the town centre. We are not going to do that with these silly restrictions."
The community council plans to hold a meeting with business owners, Thurso Highland councillors and the Caithness Chamber of Commerce to get their views and is to pursue the matter with the local authority.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "Officers have recently been discussing a review of Thurso Traffic Management with local members and will be starting an open consultation and review later this year."
She pointed out that the public and businesses were consulted on the proposed traffic orders in Thurso and Princes Street and stressed that Highland councillors approved a parking policy across the region in 2018.
