Free parking to lure back shoppers amid tram works
Grant McKeeman makes his feelings on the works clear
SHOPPERS are to be offered free parking in a new bid to help traders in the West End in the face of the latest tram works.
A “parking loyalty scheme” has been proposed after transport chiefs announced unexpected plans to shut down West Maitland Street.
Details are still to be worked out but the idea would be that shops could refund the cost of parking if a purchase is made in store.
The city council has confirmed that it will now close West Maitland Street for around 18 months from the end of March, meaning that the whole stretch of road from Haymarket to Princes Street will be shut off to traffic.
Grant McKeeman, who runs the Copymade shop in West Maitland Street, which has become known for its artistic protests against the tram works, said: “The impact will be massive and we are struggling as it is. The traffic situation changes every day and people are avoiding this area already because they’re scared to come close to the works.
“We have to pay couriers to deliver jobs to save people coming in.
“To date, we have had no compensation whatsoever. The works have gone on for longer than expected and they’ve affected us badly, but we’ve not had a penny.”
City council leaders announced last month that an extra £100,000 was being made available to help support businesses in the West End that were affected by works.
Businesses had proposed free parking from 3pm to attract people into the area, although council officials are understood to favour a parking loyalty scheme so that people do not abuse the system.
One option is for refunds to be provided by local businesses, which are then given the money by the council. Another option is issuing the refunds through credits for the RingGo cashless parking scheme.
One council source said: “We have taken on board suggestions by local traders and something being investigated is the possibility of offering a parking loyalty scheme so that, if you go into the area, park your car then use local businesses, you can get a parking refund.”
The closure of West Maitland Street is to be introduced in order to extend the work sites at Haymarket and Shandwick Place to allow contractors moving utilities to work alongside those building the tram line and prevent further delays to the project.
Traffic into the city centre will be diverted via Palmerston Place, while traffic from Dalry will be diverted along Morrison Street. Buses will be diverted locally via Rosebery, Grosvenor and Lansdowne crescents in the north and by the West Approach Road in the south.
Gordon Henderson, regional organiser for the Federation of Small Businesses in the east of Scotland, said: “The West End traders are being heavily inconvenienced – that’s a fact.
“The council has been very open to listening to the concerns of traders and that’s a good thing.”
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Comments
There are 44 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
Grantos32
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 07:57 PMOops so annoyed on my last comment, forgive my spelling!! Their!
Grantos32
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 07:56 PM#22 Brilliant comment, How can I say business is being affected! Feel free to pop in to my shop at Copymade and look at our accounts from before and during the Tram works. Its not rocket science to see the massive downturn.Perhaps you may wish to park in the loading bay and while you are there have a coffee or a pint or a meal and support one of my fellow business neighbours who have been affected too. Maybe you could discuss business plans with them. I am amazed you know all about mine. A huge thank you to all the support and positive comments from the people who understand the difficulties we are facing. It is hugely appreciated. My sympathies are with all whoe have been and will be affected especially those in Leith who will never see a Tram pass there door.
Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:27 PMThe best thing they can do for traders is to scrap this insane project..... And continue with the plans for free parking.
e2toe4
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:47 AMIf it goes as it has in other areas the Council will pass through this present state, in which the works will last 18 months and 'then everything will get back to normal', and move to phase two in which they start revealing they have 'discovered' a few operational problems that mean 'some' traffic restrictions and changes will become permanent. +++++ ------- The high design speed and massive size means it works more like a train because it cannot easily stop if anything is across the track, this is why it's likely in a number of months it will be revealed that some restrictions (think 'many') may have to remain after construction works complete----- the only thing temporary about previous Temporary traffic orders was the word 'temporary' itself--once that was lost the regulation orders simply became permanent.
Chris Cuthill
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 09:05 AM#37 - I agree Bus Stops are few and far between, but we all know that's the Council fault! Lothian are cutting back services with frequency reductionsservice withdrawls from March 4th, due to falling passenger numbers. They are blaming the Tram Works, its maybe an easy excuse, but quite possibly the truth! I don't actually think Edinburgh Council realise what damage they are doing to there own Bus Company and to other local businesses. It's a Disgrace!
Tartancult
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 07:53 PMOh yes, free parking will defintely lure me back to Edinburgh. I'll happily put up with all of the other - multiple - problems that edinburgh has just so I can save a few quid.-------------------On second thoughts....
Tighthead3
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 06:35 PM#37 - Cyclists will manage fine, they'll take to the pavements ...... oh damn, they've done that already.
One-man-bucket's older twin
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 06:08 PMI wonder if CEC's objective is to stop people travelling around Edinburgh at all. If Morrison Street becomes two-way, people living around there will have to leave for work so early to be sure of getting there, whether they drive, take the bus or walk, they might as well not go home. There will be gridlock every rush hour in both directions instead of just one. And the bus stops around the West End are so few and far between, you'll have to take a taxi between buses - assuming you can find a stop for the bus you want. Cyclists will probably manage, but who wants to arrive at work each day drenched in either sweat or rain (or both!). And pray you don't need an ambulance in the rush hour.
Mark Bishop
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:54 PMFor goodness' sake just get ON with it please! 24 hour work crews and get the damn thing finished!
Irritatingly Intelligent Chauvinist
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 04:23 PMAt last the council has accepted that free parking is good for business. It took them long enough. Now do the smart thing and role out free parking everywhere in the city, for ever and for good.
cynicalm
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:45 PMDoes anyone on TIE have any qualifications at all? Even basic literacy and numeracy would be be an advantage.
Niebiosa tam sa naprawde nieskrzydlowe ludzie tam
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:29 PMWE HAVE CONTROL OF YOUR CITY -RESISTANCE IS FUTILE
keyser soze
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:27 PMScary Bear @ 25... The only way to make sure council officials do what the councillors want them to do , is vote for councillors who have some backbone and will stand up to these council officials. That has not happened for years in this city, hence people like Aitchison, Bruce, Turley, Anderson etc do what they like, not what they are instructed to do. If, after May, they still refuse to do what they are insructed to do , then sack them. If you refuse to do what your boss tells you to do, you get sacked. The same applies for Edinburgh Council, only our present councillors are to weak.
allyballybee
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:16 PMThis new closure in West Maitland Street was never mentioned when the vote to continue or stop the trams was taking place. These contractor idiots should do a section at a time from start to finish and work over 24 hours if required, but to shut down the whole West End of a City is complete madness! There is a Post Office, how will they get mail uplifted? They need to allow essential traffic through, especially emergency vehicles. Agree with #19. Just how difficult is it to fit a couple of tram lines? Each section should be completed before moving on to the next...are you listening numpties?
Niebiosa tam sa naprawde nieskrzydlowe ludzie tam
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:03 PMWhat an Iconic Cack up !
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