SNP Hail Parking Charges Shake-Up as Boost for Town Centres

SNP councillors in Aberdeenshire have hailed today’s decision to introduce free parking periods in North-east towns as a welcome boost to town centre traders.

The introduction of free periods for parking was one of the key commitments to help town centres in the Aberdeenshire SNP manifesto at the last local elections.

SNP spokesperson on Infrastructure Services Cllr Rob Merson (Ellon & District) said:

“The SNP Government has been working hard to boost the local economy by reducing and removing business rates for small businesses, and freezing the council tax to help put more money into the pockets of ordinary working families.

“The council needs to use what powers it has at its disposal to assist small businesses and make our town centres attractive for shoppers. Allowing a period of free parking is an important part of that. By doing so, I hope that shoppers will be encouraged to use town centre traders.

“This is a very welcome decision today, which was backed unanimously by councillors across party lines on the committee. It is just a pity that the previous Lib Dem-led administration didn’t take the opportunity offered by the SNP Group in 2011 to freeze parking charges instead of choosing to increase them at that time.”