Parking report reveals area issues

PARKING issues and wants in Annandale and Eskdale have been highlighted by residents.

People living in the area took part in a survey on parking for Dumfries and Galloway Council.

And the results will be shared with councillors later this week.

The vast majority (87 per cent) of respondents from this area said that the availability of car parking is important to their decision to travel.

Convenience, the ease of finding a parking space, permitted length of stay and distance to final destination are the other most important factors identified by Annandale and Eskdale survey respondents when choosing where to park.

Meanwhile, the key challenges include limited parking capacity, bay size, unclear / faded signage or markings and unclear parking regulations.

People would also like to see enhanced public transport measures that would encourage them to drive less. This includes more frequent bus services, new bus routes. cheaper bus services and improved rail services.

And whilst 15 per cent said they would always drive, 85 per cent could be encouraged to use alternative modes for some or all of their journeys.

Also highlighted were variances in the quality of parking, a lack of enforcement activity, particularly within areas with high

parking demand and limited spatial capacity, including on-street locations in some town centres.

The full results of the survey will be discussed at next week’s area committee meeting when councillors will be asked to agree the content of the draft Regional Parking Strategy.