Edinburgh Sunday Parking charges

[snooky]

No matter which way Lesley Hinds tries to justify this new proposal, it's just one more blatant money-grab and another unwelcome move towards the demise of the city centre.
IMO, of course :greengrin

[RyeSloan]

No matter which way Lesley Hinds tries to justify this new proposal, it's just one more blatant money-grab and another unwelcome move towards the demise of the city centre. IMO, of course :greengrin

I'm not sure what makes Sunday and different from a Saturday? Shops seem to survive fine having parking charges 6 days a week and considering that charging actually creates more spaces (free parking causes cars to stay longer so less people can park) then I'm struggling a bit with the ire that this decision has caused..

[steakbake]

Seems fair enough, to be honest.

Next should be for the council to grow a set of balls and bring though a local tourist tax. Nothing exorbitant but with the number of visitors the city gets, with the services needed to make that work, it seems madness for there not to be some kind of way of getting money to the council for the infrastructure.

Edinburgh is a very conservative place so any change is likely to be feared. Fact is, most big tourist destinations have some kind of local tourist tax to help fund things that handle the industry.

[RyeSloan]

Seems fair enough, to be honest. Next should be for the council to grow a set of balls and bring though a local tourist tax. Nothing exorbitant but with the number of visitors the city gets, with the services needed to make that work, it seems madness for there not to be some kind of way of getting money to the council for the infrastructure. Edinburgh is a very conservative place so any change is likely to be feared. Fact is, most big tourist destinations have some kind of local tourist tax to help fund things that handle the industry.

I agree...seems ludicrous that the local council puts millions into Edinburgh's festivals but has no direct way of benefiting from the increased spending in the city that they generate. As you say there is plenty of examples of a 'tourist tax' around the world that other cities levy without damaging their choice as a destination for those tourists so I see not reason why it would not succeed here.

[snooky]

As an extension to my Sunday parking charges gripe, look at this ....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35812226 "Edinburgh one of the most traffic congested cities in UK."

Well, surprise, sur-bleeding-prise. What do you expect when they ....
1) narrow main thoroughfares
2) introduce bus-only lanes & roads,
3) block off rat runs
4) introduce 20mph speed limits
5) etc, etc.

Ranting over for the moment :cb

[bod]

but will the traffic wardens be on double money for a sunday shift ? or double bonus for tickets

[brianmc]

As an extension to my Sunday parking charges gripe, look at this ....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35812226 "Edinburgh one of the most traffic congested cities in UK."

Well, surprise, sur-bleeding-prise. What do you expect when they ....
1) narrow main thoroughfares
2) introduce bus-only lanes & roads,
3) block off rat runs
4) introduce 20mph speed limits
5) etc, etc.

Ranting over for the moment :cb

Is this not one of the reasons they make the city such an unfriendly place for the motorist... In other words, if yer coming up toon dinnae bother driving??

[Hibbyradge]

I voted for the congestion charge.

That would have sorted a lot of these issues, no?

[snooky]

Is this not one of the reasons they make the city such an unfriendly place for the motorist... In other words, if yer coming up toon dinnae bother driving??

True, BMc but then folk willnae bother coming up toun - they'll go elsewhere.
Are there not enough empty offices & shops already?

[RyeSloan]

True, BMc but then folk willnae bother coming up toun - they'll go elsewhere. Are there not enough empty offices & shops already?

Is there? Serious question as Edinburgh city centre office space looks more of at a premium than in over supply to my inexpert eye. Add in the fact that St James is being rebuilt to hugely increase the retail space then I'm not sure there really is a sea of empty offices and shops.

That's not to say the council couldn't do a hell of a lot more to introduce more effective management of the traffic and to do so should admit that because of Edinburghs lay out and a hundred other reasons that will involve private as well as public transport.

[snooky]

Is there? Serious question as Edinburgh city centre office space looks more of at a premium than in over supply to my inexpert eye. Add in the fact that St James is being rebuilt to hugely increase the retail space then I'm not sure there really is a sea of empty offices and shops.

That's not to say the council couldn't do a hell of a lot more to introduce more effective management of the traffic and to do so should admit that because of Edinburghs lay out and a hundred other reasons that will involve private as well as public transport.

I can't vouch for the current situation, SiMar. I've not been in toun for a while as I canny be bothered with all the traffic restrictions or taking the bus. :wink:

[lord bunberry]

Is this not one of the reasons they make the city such an unfriendly place for the motorist... In other words, if yer coming up toon dinnae bother driving??
I just don't bother going into town anymore, I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't bother anymore. The policy of trying to discourage people from using their cars has failed miserably and will continue to fail. They should reverse all the failed policies and reopen all the roads to all traffic again.

[RyeSloan]

I can't vouch for the current situation, SiMar. I've not been in toun for a while as I canny be bothered with all the traffic restrictions or taking the bus. :wink:

Ha ha you are not wrong tho...road works and potholes seems to be the constant order of the day! I avoid the bus and use my scooter, which after all that I have said I should give credit to the council for, free on street parking in designated bays is a nice bonus and saves me a small fortune on parking or bus fares!