Glasgow residents ‘disgusted’ by plans to start charging for parking

Those living in Sighthill say they cannot afford the suggested rate.

Among them is Jean Monhagan, who moved to the development 24 years ago.

She said: “Parking has always been free, currently we are still in the regeneration and we only have one way in and out of the area. We are pretty much fenced in because they are still building other homes.

“The issue is that Glasgow City Council is proposing to introduce parking restrictions which would be a cost of £98 per car.

“We are in a socially deprived area but yet the council want to enforce these parking permits which would affect a lot of people who can’t afford it, especially during the cost of living crisis.

“It is a lot of money.

“Infrastructure in Sighthill is very poor, with regards to bus links, there are very limited pathways, we are all fenced in. People need cars to go to work and everywhere else.

“Even after this cost of £98 per vehicle, we are told we wouldn’t be guaranteed a space."

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While part of the development is still underway, hundreds of homes have already been constructed.

Since moving in there, locals have been parking for free and claim they weren't informed properly of the proposed changes.

The 43-year-old added: “We weren’t consulted, this is a key thing. Glasgow City Council set up a meeting in Sighthill but didn’t promote it and didn’t invite people, so therefore, nobody showed up at this meeting.

“This was to give people notice and tell them about the proposal but nobody was engaged. This is why, as a community, we feel outraged about this.

“Why do we have to pay for this and why weren’t we consulted?"

Alison Neil, 41, said people are also confused as to the benefits of this measure.

Cars in Sighthill (Image: Newsquest)

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The Sighthill resident of over two decades added: "It just makes no sense.

"The only time the road is busy is school time, but that's nothing. It doesn't even affect our parking, they don't park in our spaces.

"It doesn't make sense why they would bring it out now, when the regeneration of the area is not even complete.

"We don't even have a shop or anything. We have one way in and one way out. Who would want to park here? 

"All the way into the town is all fenced off. There is no way of getting onto the bridge from this side."

Jean Monaghan and Alison Neil (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “The opening of the new footbridge over the M8 at Sighthill will make the city centre very accessible for anyone travelling from Sighthill on foot.

“To ensure parking in the area is prioritised for local residents, it is proposed that a restricted parking zone is introduced to help manage the available spaces.

“These schemes have been successfully introduced in other parts of the city and help to allocate finite parking spaces for the benefit of local residents, their visitors and local businesses.

“The cost of a resident’s permit will work out at less than 27 pence per day over the course of the year and revenue raised goes towards the operation of the scheme, which includes enforcement, administration of permits and maintenance of signage and road markings.

“The consultation process on the proposed parking zone is at an early stage and full details will be published in a due course.

“As part of the City Deal initiative, the redevelopment of Sighthill is one of the largest regeneration projects currently underway in the UK and once complete will provide almost 1000 new homes along with a range of community facilities.

“The finished project will also deliver improved parkland and greenspace across the whole area while also including high-quality active travel infrastructure to encourage higher levels of walking, wheeling and cycling.”