Government urged to act in forestry parking charge row

The Scottish Government has been urged to step in and scrap plans to charge for parking at two East Kintyre forestry sites.

 

It was reported in last week's Courier that, from May 1, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing the country's national forests and land, is imposing a levy of £3 a day for those using the Port na Storm and Grianan car parks.

 

On Tuesday, Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron wrote to rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon urging her to reverse the new rule.

 

Mr Cameron said that the Scottish Government should be able to find a funding mechanism which enables car park users to continue to park there for free. He added the fresh charges would put more pressure on household budgets during a cost of living crisis.

 

Mr Cameron also wrote to FLS to urge a rethink.

 

“The plans to charge £3 a day for users of these car parks is simply wrong,” he said. “Many people use these facilities regularly for dog-walking and exercise – imposing a levy on those people is counter-productive and unfair.

 

“There is a cost of living crisis at the moment which is often more keenly felt in rural Scotland. These proposals will simply add to that burden.

 

“As local people have already pointed out, we’re supposed to be encouraging fresh air and exercise, not taxing it. I want to see the SNP-Green government and Forestry and Land Scotland get round the table and find a way out of this.”

 

An FLS spokesperson said that in addition to the car parks requiring regular up-keep and maintenance, income from the “modest” parking charges will also be used to offset the cost of visitor services across the west region.