Edinburgh parking: Plan for Portobello controlled parking zone is thrown out.
Councillors have rejected plans for a regulated parking zone in Portobello after receiving objections from over 2,000 people.
A long-running local campaign against the CPZ maintained that the area’s parking pressures did not justify the proposed year-round limitations, and that the implementation of parking charges would ruin local businesses.
The idea had been changed so that Sunday limitations would no longer apply, and the scheme’s implementation in Joppa would be delayed for the time being. However, the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) subcommittee voted 5–4 against passing the required order to implement the plan.
Convener Margaret Graham proposed the order, citing long-standing parking concerns in Portobello.
She went on: “There have been lots of objections – change is very difficult – but all of the objections have been considered and there have been significant changes made because of the objections.” However, Lib Dem councillor Kevin Lang stated that he was not convinced by the CPZ case. “You have more than 2,000 objections to this order.
Here you have a community that is adamant that this is not the proper solution for the place they love and are proud of. He expressed special concern about the impact on High Street, street sellers, and the market.
“I am conscious that we have out of town shopping centres with free parking literally a five minute drive away.”
There is genuine concern that charging visitors to park near the High Street and markets would result in people taking their business elsewhere.” SNP councillor Cathy Fullerton agreed with Cllr Lang and added that people going to Portobello to enjoy the beach needed someplace to park.
“Most people need to take a car because of the amount of stuff you’ve got to take to a beach if you’re going to be there the whole day.” And she responded, “Consultation should not be a tick-box exercise.
I wish to encourage the numerous residents who know their community well, know what works, and claim there are no problems.” Tory councillor Phil Doggart stated, “If we are going to consult, we must listen.
The single voice from Portobello is ‘We don’t want this,’ and I believe it is critical that we consider that single voice.” He stated that if the CPZ were to be implemented, it was “almost certain” that out-of-town shopping malls would become more appealing than the tiny stores in Portobello.
Green Alex Staniforth stated that authorities had advised the subcommittee that exceptions might be granted for Portobello’s markets. He said he disagreed with Cllr Fullerton’s argument that people had to drive to the beach.
“A great many people visit Portobello beach for the day by bus.” He went on to say, “I would argue that Portobello shopping has a completely different character than the areas we’re told are only five minutes away and have free parking.”
I don’t believe they are close enough that the one-hour compensation and displays will deter many people. And we know that encouraging active travel and bus travel benefits local businesses.
Residents who had attended the meeting to hear the debate greeted the vote with enthusiastic applause.
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