Seven Caithness car parks to invite motorists to pay
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Voluntary parking charges will be introduced at a number of popular car parks in Caithness. Councillors were reassured that the scheme would not lead to enforced parking charges.
The Caithness committee approved the “invitation to pay” scheme on Wednesday for seven sites at Dunnet Head, Dunnet Seadrift, Noss Head, Duncansby Head, Reiss beach and the Camps and Riverside in Wick.
The proposals are part of the council’s £1.5 million visitor management strategy to deal with the influx of tourists visiting the Highlands since the pandemic triggered a wave of so-called staycations.
Under the scheme, cars and motorhomes would be asked to pay between 8am and 8pm, with the rates set at £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to four hours, £3 for up to 12 hours and for a maximum stay of up to 24 hours the cost would be £5. Motorhome users would be charged the same except they would be invited to pay £10 for a 24-hour stay.
Councillor Andrew Sinclair warned of a “level of concern in the local community” about the introduction of charges and sought reassurances that this would not automatically lead to enforcement.
The council’s principal traffic officer Shane Manning said before that happened there would have to be a public consultation and ultimately local members would get the final say.
Councillor Willie Mackay said: “I welcome this 100 per cent. I see you have up to one hour £1 and up to four hours £2 – that is nothing, just buttons. That is really, really good.”
Currently council regulated car parks generally ban overnight stays by motorhomes. After discussion at Highland Council's tourism committee, members agreed to take a pragmatic approach to additional parking provision for motorhome visitors across the Highlands.
The goal is to allow motorhomes to occupy a designated bay in specific council car parks for a maximum period of 24 hours in exchange for a fee.
Ticket machines that can take cash and card payments will be installed in each selected car park with signage inviting payment.
Chair of the committee, Cllr Raymond Bremner, said: “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 tarriff.
"We will be keen to monitor how effective it is and ensure that communication is maintained with the local community councils.”
Ongoing monitoring is to be reported back to members before any future decisions are made on formal regulation of the car parking charges, which will be informed by the strategic approach to be considered at the next economy and infrastructure committee.
