A lack of parking in Kilcreggan is ‘devastating’ for local businesses, the village postmaster has warned.
Stephen Clayton says the centre of village is often gridlocked and a solution is urgently needed – such as some car park spaces being limited to 30 minutes or an hour.
He has drawn up a plan (below) to show how more parking spaces might be created – effectively the fifth design for the village centre in the last five years.
“It is negatively affecting businesses, residents and our local economy,” he said.
“Many potential customers we have spoken to say they just drive through the village because lack of parking spaces.
“This issue has been brought up at many previous council meetings, and usually gets kicked down the road as it’s not an easy problem to solve.
“We have now come to a critical point, this has to be addressed immediately.”
Scottish Enterprise agreed to fund a parking and traffic survey of the village in early 2020, but this did not go ahead after the Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed.
Mr Clayton says a parking sub-committee should be formed, made up of local residents and business owners.
In 2019 Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council formed a sub-committee to look at the parking issue, with a covered car park topped with a new ‘village green’ being considered for the centre of the village.
And the previous year proposals by the Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust to redevelop the village (above) were revealed.
Since then Argyll and Bute Council has revealed its £9.6m plan (above) for ‘Kilcreggan Harbour’ – which would see spaces on the existing car park reduced – while this month a design for the village drawn up by community council vice-convener Ali Mills was published online (below) and displayed at a public meeting.
Mr Clayton said this week: ” I am not claiming to be an expert, or that this is the solution and I don’t have the answers needed.
“I am simply presenting this plan to the community with hopes of creating a dialogue and discussion that will result in valuable feedback, solutions and ideas that can be used to further expand these plans.”
He has also suggested:
- ‘Reduce speed’ signs at either end of the village
- Speed bumps on the corner near the post office
- Evaluation and implementation of 15-minute, 30-minute, and one- or two-hour parking areas
- Assessment of the parking needed for ferry passengers
- Ensuring disabled parking spots are conveniently located near key destinations.
- Automated parking systems that efficiently manage parking space allocation.
- Assessing the current designated overnight parking areas
Mr Clayton said: “By following this plan and actively involving the Kilcreggan parking subcommittee and the local community, Kilcreggan can work towards improving parking and traffic management while enhancing safety, accessibility, and convenience for all residents, businesses and visitors.”
The last thing Kilcreggan village centre need is more space for cars.