Parking charge hike due at eight Lochaber spots

As well as the new pay and display rates, the meeting saw an agreement to set the 24 hour parking tariff in Lochaber at £10. Meanwhile, short stay parking at the Viewforth Car Park in Fort William will be extended from three hours to four in order to encourage more use of the town centre, with a review of its usage to be undertaken a year after the changes are implemented.

Councillor Kate Willis, LAC Chairperson, said committee members supported the parking tariff changes due to their ability to help fund Lochaber communities.

In 2022/23 Lochaber brought in £381,023.25 from car park fees, with a further £25,414 from ‘invitation to pay’ car parks.

“The parking charges and tariffs review brought to Committee was welcomed,” Ms Willis said.

“Members support the tariff increases and the introduction of mandatory charges at key sites across Lochaber. This will boost income generation and direct 50 per cent of the net income fees to area level, enabling the opportunity to direct available funds to community priorities.”

LAC’s review of its parking charges followed the Highland Council’s decision to set a minimum £3 tariff in all its car parks, with charges to be implemented from April 11.

The LAC meeting can be viewed on the Highland Council YouTube page. Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mcA8vIE3Ug&t=2027s, whilst the meeting agenda and Mr Manning’s report can be found on the Highland Council’s Lochaber Committee page. Link:
www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4971/lochaber_committee.