Wick community representatives condemn selfish drivers
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THE issue of motorists misusing the area around Wick's Market Square to park in and drive through has again been highlighted by community representatives.
On Saturday evening, cars were regularly observed flouting the access regulations by driving along the pedestrian precinct towards the junction of Bridge Street and High Street. Likewise, a number of cars were parked in the Market Square with no disability badges showing.
A recent community event at the Assembly Rooms, hosted by the charity Sustrans, looked at ways the town centre could be reimagined and the issue of the pedestrian precinct being used as a thoroughfare by drivers was discussed.
John Bogle, secretary of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, said that the problem came out "loud and clear" at the Sustrans event and he experienced the problem first-hand earlier this month.
"I was meeting a couple of the Sustrans staff in High Street at 10am," Mr Bogle said. "I parked at the Camps and as I was walking up a car came down Shore Lane, turned right into High Street and drove right through to the traffic lights at Bridge Street without stopping.
"The Market Square was also pretty full on both sides with parked cars and vans."
His views were echoed by Highland councillor Raymond Bremner, who noted the "public concerns" over accessibility in Market Square
“Despite the signage at the Shore Lane end of the precinct clearly showing the limitations of access, a lot of vehicles are using the precinct as a thoroughfare between the Camps area of the town and Bridge Street," said Councillor Bremner, who represents Wick and East Caithness.
"A number of vehicles are simply cutting through the precinct at speed without stopping, and causing pedestrians real concern."
Councillor Bremner underlined that car parking in the Market Square is limited to blue badge holders on the Crown Bar side of the square and signage shows clearly where these bays are.
"No other parking whatsoever is permitted in the square," he said.
"Unloading and loading is permitted and we are going to have to look at how we can improve the safety and interests of genuine access requirement to the square.
Councillor Bremner said that the area is currently being reviewed in the Sustrans street design project for Wick but reiterated that "Market Square should not be used as a thoroughfare" by drivers.
"A considerable amount of representation has been made to us to look at policing the parking and the new traffic warden has been appointed and is in training," he said.
He said that the councillors are looking at how they can work to restrict access in accordance with the current traffic orders in place and current signage.
"The concerns are in no way looking at restricting business access, loading and offloading – moreover to ensure that those who need access get it, and those who don’t do not get it.”
Selfish parking in Market Square was highlighted last year by disruption caused to Wick RBLS Pipe Band's centenary event in August, the indoor markets held in the Highland Council building in the autumn and the recent Hogmanay celebrations.
