Moray Council: Call to prosecute Elgin parking offenders
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Issuing fines to drivers who park illegally in Elgin town centre is the only way to fix the problem, according to one community councillor.
Graham Jarvis is calling for police to prosecute drivers who leave their vehicles on double yellow lines or in disabled bays all day.
His comments come ahead of a meeting next Monday which will to look at town centre parking.
The meeting, arranged by Elgin Bid, will involve representatives from Police Scotland, Moray Council and Elgin Community Council discussing ways to solve the issue.
Mr Jarvis said part of the problem is caused by the reconstruction of the Poundland building on the corner of High Street and North Street.
For almost four years it has been surrounded with scaffolding which is not expected to come down until next summer.
This work has meant that vehicles are instead being directed up Batchen Street despite the fact it was pedestrianised a decade ago.
Mr Jarvis said: "It’s not safe. People are going to get run over or killed.
"Some of the people who park there all day are business owners and they’re parking illegally.
"What it needs is prosecution – not once in a blue moon but ongoing. It’s the only thing that will stop it.
"Batchen Street is a through road and there should be a 10mph limit on it.
"There are shops on both sides, no pavements and sandwich boards. The fact that it’s 30mph is ridiculous."
Moray councillor John Divers (Elgin South, Labour) has raised the issue repeatedly.
He said: "It’s been brought up at the last three police and fire and rescue committees but it doesn’t seem to be making much progress.
"Of course, there is the Poundland issue and that’s going to be there for another year.
"The plan that’s being looked at is having bollards for Batchen Street and the High Street in the future, but we’ll see how it goes."
