Parking enforcement is not likely to begin in West Lothian for at least three years, as councillors were warned there was no 'quick or cheap fix' the area's parking problems.
A two year study into the issue also found that the initial set-up could cost the council could top around £500,000.
Despite this the report was backed by the council’s Executive, which agreed to pursue the development of a parking programme of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE).
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Gordon Brown the Roads Network Manager described the report as “a comprehensive, high level and strategic document" that will shape parking in the future.
He told the meeting: “The introduction of any interventions highlighted in the strategy will require additional funding as there is currently no funding provided. The financial implications of the proposed interventions will be investigated in more detail prior to commencing delivery.”
He added: "There is a formal process to follow and a considerable amount of work involved to implement a DPE regime. Transport Scotland assesses new DPE applications from local authorities on behalf of Scottish Ministers and if content, Scottish Statutory Instruments are drafted which will decriminalise parking offences and allow a local authority to take over parking enforcement from Police Scotland."
There are two options for paying for DPE. If the council was to develop its own scheme the investment required for DPE is estimated to be in the region of £490,000 for one off initial scheme set up with annual estimated cost implications of £246,000.
If it opts to work with a neighbouring authority which already has a scheme running the investment required would be in the region of £175,000 annual cost in fees to the partnership authority and around £85,000 annual management costs. This totals £260,000 annually.
These figures are high level estimates that have been based on DPE schemes that have been implemented in other Local Authorities.
Conservative group leader Councillor Damian Doran-Timson said: “Thanks for this. We are here at last.”
He asked if working with the private sector had been considered. Mr Brown said that all cost potentials would be examined as the investigations developed. He said the council would engage with other councils and the private sector.
Councillors across the board welcomed the initial work into developing DPE. Sally Pattle, LIb- Dem for Linlithgow wondered if the time frames could be shortened as the programme developed.
“If there’s no money now, when do you think you will have that money," she asked.
Mr Brown said officers would investigate with finance colleagues to see how the plan could be taken forward.
The initial study suggests the first towns to see DPE would be Bathgate and the Livingston area three years on, with Linlithgow in a three to six year timeframe alongside Broxburn and Uphall, Armdale and Whitburn. Councillor Pattle argued that Linlithgow suffered parking problems similar to those in Bathgate. “I am really looking forward to working with officers in the next few months as the work moves on,” she added.
Fellow Linlithgow Councillor Tom Conn suggested that parking problems in the town could be solved in the short term if Police Scotland properly enforced regulations. He added that the report had proved that suggestions from the SNP that DPE “ could be set up over a weekend” were wrong. He added: “There’s a lot of work to be done”.
Depute group leader for the SNP disputed this had ever been the party’s stance and raised an amendment. He described councillor Conn’s statement as “manifestly untrue.”
The amendment called for “A full consultation with the communities of the various settlements must be conducted.
“Individuals, community organisations and businesses should have the opportunity to input into any options of proposals being considered for implementation. These opinions should form part of any further considerations.”
Fellow SNP member, Pauline Orr, welcomed “open and honest discussion about DPE”.
Councillor De Bold said his amendment embedded the principle of public consultation as the plan moved forward.
It gained support from the Conservatives who suggested it would not harm as long as it didn’t delay the process, especially engaging with businesses.
The amendment was defeated by 8 votes to 5.
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