Glasgow City Council has proposed a 150% increase in the visitor parking permit fee, raising it from £2 to £5, effective from April 1st, 2024.

These permits are not solely used for social visits; they are essential for the many caregivers and support workers that serve our communities. Furthermore they are frequently required by tradespeople (who, from experience, would otherwise add parking charges to their invoices).

While we understand the need to reduce car usage, this cannot happen without more reliable, frequent and direct public transportation to serve the peripheries of the city where journey times on current services can be 2 to 4 times longer than the equivalent by car.

Charges in Edinburgh for visitor permits are only 11p per hour compared to Glasgow's current rate of 33p per hour. This is set to rise to an exorbitant 83p per hour, almost 8 times our neighbours in the east. Aberdeen currently offer 1 day permits at an equivalent of 45p per hour, just less than half the sum due in Glasgow after April 1st.

Manchester offer 1 day parking permits at 5p per hour. And, Leeds allows for one visitor permit per household and does not charge for it. Furthermore, several councils around the UK, are providing free vouchers to caregivers and the elderly.

The increased fees for visitor permits are timed to coincide with a raise in parking charges throughout the city. Together with proposals to significantly lengthen the effective hours of parking zones, we think visitor permits are more relevant and important than ever. They provide affordable way for Glasgow residents to welcome visitors and essential services into their homes. 

We think council's proposal will negatively affect the people that make Glasgow.

We urge the council to postpone this decision and reassess its impact on its residents. Please sign this petition if you agree that this issue deserves further consideration before such drastic changes are implemented.