Coupar Angus residents and politicians want parking spaces back to improve trade
Ghost town — The Cross area of Coupar Angus
Dundee Courier, 6 September 2011
A year since the transformation of Coupar Angus town centre, politicians have joined locals in calling for a rethink of the scheme.
By Alan Richardson
Published in the Courier : 06.09.11
Published online : 06.09.11 @ 08.35am
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Perthshire/article/17039/coupar-angus-residents-and-politicians-want-parking-spaces-back-to-improve-trade.html
Coupar Angus pedestrianisation critics described as 'doom-laden'
The £250,000 regeneration project saw the centre pedestrianised and car parking spaces removed, which shop owners claim has had a crushing effect on their businesses.
Following a "bedding-in" period which they claim shows the project has been unsuccessful, Murdo Fraser MSP and Strathmore Councillor Dennis Melloy say it is time to bring parking back to the town centre.
Mr Fraser said: "The Town Centre Regeneration Fund was money made available to transform our town centres and improve our communities.
"It was due to the determination and hard work by many in the local community that saw Coupar Angus become successful in being awarded funding.
"The regeneration project at Coupar Angus saw the creation of a pedestrianisation scheme and the removal of 17 car parking spaces.
"Damaged trade"
"Now that a year has gone by since the changes, it is clear that project has damaged trade in the town centre.
"It is very worrying that some businesses are reporting a large drop in customers and business and we must act to help and support our local traders."
John Middleton of Coupar Angus Business centre accused council officials of "letting the town die" with their attitude towards car use.
He said: "We live in a country where the car rules and you can't change that mindset in a rural area like this where the people in outlying areas need to use their cars to get their shopping.
"At the moment they can't because there's nowhere to park and no incentive to come here. They need to remove the yellow lines and let people into town. If that snarls up the town centre, so be it — at least it will mean people shopping and spending money.
"At the moment the town's dying and you've got a council that couldn't care less and are totally out of touch with reality. I would support anything to get the parking back into the centre."
Mr Melloy said: "It is over a year since the regeneration of the Cross and High Street in Coupar Angus following a public consultation.
"The turnout of this consultation was small and it was agreed by a small majority of residents who did respond and who voted in favour of the regeneration.
"Although the town centre looks attractive, our shopkeepers are telling us that business has dramatically declined since the changes took place. It won't be long before these businesses cease trading.
Distress
"Parking and shopping has been moved down to the west side of town near a supermarket and factory, which in itself is causing distress and concern to the residents in that area.
"I am proposing that we reinstate parking in the Cross with limited waiting time of one hour only, to allow access to the shops in the Cross vicinity."
"Coupar Angus is a historic and beautiful town and we must do what is best for our local businesses and residents and by so doing so we would hope attract other businesses to Coupar Angus."
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: "The provision of parking in the Cross area of Coupar Angus as part of the town centre regeneration project is being kept under review by the council.
"Support for local trade is developing both through the provision of new residential accommodation in an adjacent property, and through the council's work to attract new businesses to the area, which the improvements to the town centre are an integral part of.
"Community events have also been held in the pedestrianised area. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will consider arrangements further when all the works are completed."
A year since the transformation of Coupar Angus town centre, politicians have joined locals in calling for a rethink of the scheme.
By Alan Richardson
Published in the Courier : 06.09.11
Published online : 06.09.11 @ 08.35am
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Perthshire/article/17039/coupar-angus-residents-and-politicians-want-parking-spaces-back-to-improve-trade.html
Coupar Angus pedestrianisation critics described as 'doom-laden'
The £250,000 regeneration project saw the centre pedestrianised and car parking spaces removed, which shop owners claim has had a crushing effect on their businesses.
Following a "bedding-in" period which they claim shows the project has been unsuccessful, Murdo Fraser MSP and Strathmore Councillor Dennis Melloy say it is time to bring parking back to the town centre.
Mr Fraser said: "The Town Centre Regeneration Fund was money made available to transform our town centres and improve our communities.
"It was due to the determination and hard work by many in the local community that saw Coupar Angus become successful in being awarded funding.
"The regeneration project at Coupar Angus saw the creation of a pedestrianisation scheme and the removal of 17 car parking spaces.
"Damaged trade"
"Now that a year has gone by since the changes, it is clear that project has damaged trade in the town centre.
"It is very worrying that some businesses are reporting a large drop in customers and business and we must act to help and support our local traders."
John Middleton of Coupar Angus Business centre accused council officials of "letting the town die" with their attitude towards car use.
He said: "We live in a country where the car rules and you can't change that mindset in a rural area like this where the people in outlying areas need to use their cars to get their shopping.
"At the moment they can't because there's nowhere to park and no incentive to come here. They need to remove the yellow lines and let people into town. If that snarls up the town centre, so be it — at least it will mean people shopping and spending money.
"At the moment the town's dying and you've got a council that couldn't care less and are totally out of touch with reality. I would support anything to get the parking back into the centre."
Mr Melloy said: "It is over a year since the regeneration of the Cross and High Street in Coupar Angus following a public consultation.
"The turnout of this consultation was small and it was agreed by a small majority of residents who did respond and who voted in favour of the regeneration.
"Although the town centre looks attractive, our shopkeepers are telling us that business has dramatically declined since the changes took place. It won't be long before these businesses cease trading.
Distress
"Parking and shopping has been moved down to the west side of town near a supermarket and factory, which in itself is causing distress and concern to the residents in that area.
"I am proposing that we reinstate parking in the Cross with limited waiting time of one hour only, to allow access to the shops in the Cross vicinity."
"Coupar Angus is a historic and beautiful town and we must do what is best for our local businesses and residents and by so doing so we would hope attract other businesses to Coupar Angus."
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: "The provision of parking in the Cross area of Coupar Angus as part of the town centre regeneration project is being kept under review by the council.
"Support for local trade is developing both through the provision of new residential accommodation in an adjacent property, and through the council's work to attract new businesses to the area, which the improvements to the town centre are an integral part of.
"Community events have also been held in the pedestrianised area. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will consider arrangements further when all the works are completed."
