Aberdeenshire Council introduces free-to-use parking scheme in Oldmeldrum Squares
Motorists visiting Oldmeldrum will face new restrictions from next month – they will only be able to park for a maximum of two hours in a bid to ‘free up spaces and boost the economy’.
Aberdeenshire Council is introducing the free-to-use parking scheme at the village’s Cowgate and its Square.
From Tuesday, December 1, people will need to display a reusable parking disc distributed from local businesses granting them permission to stay.
Not obeying the new rule will result in a penalty notice being issued.
It has been claimed by business chiefs in Oldmeldrum that trade is being affected by parking spaces being occupied for extended periods of time.
Chairman of the council’s Formartine area committee, Rob Merosn, said: “The new system of parking in Oldmeldrum’s town centre is tailored to the needs of the town.
“While permanent meters can issue tickets for free periods of parking, the local community was keen to try the reusable discs as they involve local businesses.
“Furthermore, the Square is a protected conservation area and so the installation of meters would have required special planning permission.”
Vice-chairman of the committee, Paul Johnson, said: “The enclosed nature of Oldmeldrum town square will suit the disc system very well – this is not a parking system that would necessarily work in all types of towns.”
Parking will be unaffected on Baker Street and Commercial Road.
Good Morning,
Can you tell me please where the ‘workers’ of Oldmeldrum can park???? I arrive at work around 6.30 each morning and go round to the back big car park, which is almost full up because people leave cars there for the day and go off on the bus to Aberdeen, I have watched it happen, although the general shop keepers in Oldmeldrum say there is a down turn in business, no thought has been given to the people working in the businesses in Oldmeldrum regards parking. I would appreciate your comments, many thanks.
We ask a local Councillor to respond:
“There is no change to the parking in Baker street, the big car park at the back. There are unrestricked ‘on street’ car parking places on South Road and the car park on commercial road remains unrestricted in time as well. The scheme effects the spaces in the Squares which was always hoped would be short term parking. If you are a member of the busines association, then there was also an arrangement to use the car parking to the rear of the Meldrum Arms for workers in shops.”
“There is a general shortage of spaces which will never be resolved by the Council as this is a medieval street plan and they do not own enough land or ever likley to, to resolve it. The issue has been about ensuring that the Squares are not used for all day parking, but can be used by people visiting the shops and services. Baker street remains the same.
I hope that helps your enquiry”
Councillor Paul Johnston
The busines assocaition have been involved in the proposal. It was their proposal for a two hour period. They indicated to the Community Council that shop workers would be encouraged not to park in the square to allow for people visiting to use the services. The issue can be raised by contacting the Community Council and can be raised by any member of the public attending the Community Council meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Academy at 7:30pm.