Wishaw business owners and town centre residents have spoken of their delight as car parking charges were consigned to the scrapheap.
The charges, which sparked a furious backlash from residents across North Lanarkshire, will not be introduced for at least two years after opposition councillors united to defeat the Labour administration by 14 votes to nine at the council’s Policy and Resources Committee.
Council leader Jim Logue had initially proposed a delay to the plan due to the impact of coronavirus on town centres but the policy has now been ditched until the council elections in 2022 at the earliest.
Wishaw hairdressing salon owner Vicky Gaughan had been left furious at NLC’s plans which would have seen drivers going to the area’s towns having to pay £4 to park for over five hours.
Speaking this week, Vicky said: “I’m really chuffed, it’s brilliant news.
“Hopefully no-one ever thinks about bringing it back in.
“It would have killed Wishaw town centre.
“People wouldn’t have bothered paying and ended up going somewhere else.
“Our customers were very worried about it and with the year we have had I’m just glad this is one less thing that we need to worry about.”
There was also relief for East Thornlie Street resident Siobhan McRorie who had previously told us that the prospect of having parking permits was a worrying one.
“I’m glad to learn that they have had a change of heart,” said Siobhan.
“Hopefully it will give the small businesses in the town a break.
“For me it’s a big weight off my mind.
“Myself and my partner were still unsure if people who were visiting our house post-Covid would have had to pay.
“It’s things like that I don’t think the council considered. I’m just glad I don’t have to worry about it.”
Fellow East Thornlie Street resident Stephanie Anderson added: “It's good news for everyone living here.
“I’m really pleased that it’s been kicked out and the councillors have listened to us.”
