Inveraray generates most parking income

Inveraray car parks remain the most lucrative for income from car parking charges in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islands (MAKI) area of Argyll and Bute Council.

 

A report which was due before the MAKI area committee this week showed that of £39,813 generated in the second quarter (July-September 2022) of the financial year 2022-23, £24,272 came from  Inveraray's Fisher Row, The Avenue and Front Street and Toilets car parks.

 

In the first quarter of the year, (April-June 2022), Inveraray car parks generated £15,424.

 

The same document also states that cumulative car parking income for the council area over the six months to September 2022 was £491,454 which was 78 per cent of the target for the period of £625,429.

 

However, the report also says that £287,000 of payments remained to be processed, which would take the income over the target for the period.

 

A council spokesperson said: 'At the second quarter, the cumulative MAKI target income is a shortfall of only £252.'

 

The number of parking tickets issued by Argyll and Bute Council wardens has more than doubled within a year, the report also revealed.

 

The number of parking tickets went from 973 in quarter three of 2021/22 (October-December 2021) -  15 in MAKI - to 2,124 in quarter two of 2022/23 (July-September 2022) - 64 in MAKI.

 

In relation to the council-wide parking income information, the spokesperson added: 'The service is working through a stock programme which will upgrade all parking terminals to enable multi-payment options (cash, cashless and Chip and PIN).

 

'At this point, 66 terminals out of 92 have been upgraded. The back-office system for the upgraded terminals is excellent and allows forensic review of the various payment modes.

 

'It is of note that the upgraded parking terminals (multi payment options) in Inveraray have, for both the first and second quarter, shown payments are made wholly be credit/debit card.'