A parking trial at Moray’s busiest town has been extended into next year.
Moray Council launched a scheme offering motorists free parking at two of Elgin’s main car parks earlier this year, in an attempt to bring more shoppers into the town.
The six-month trial at the St Giles and Batchen Lane multi-storeys – which allows shoppers to park from 3pm-6pm every day – was due to expire on December 8.
Councillors were due to get an update on the trial in October, but yesterday members of the economic development and infrastructure services committee unanimously agreed to extend it over the festive period.
Councillor Douglas Ross put forward the motion to ensure that traders and shoppers alike could both benefit during the countdown to Christmas and New Year.
Afterwards, Mr Ross said: “When councillors agreed to the six-month trial we had no start date.
“If councillors had been aware that the ‘free after three’ trial would end at the beginning of December, just as shops are gearing up for the busy Christmas period, we would have extended it. That is what makes this decision simply common sense.
“Some councillors wanted another report and more information but by agreeing to my motion we can send out an early message to businesses and customers that this trial will be in place throughout the festive period and I look forward to the report that will come back assessing the pros and cons of the scheme.”
A report of the trial’s findings will now be collated in January.
Last night Baggs of Elgin owner David Cairns, who called for the Christmas extension to aid traders in the St Giles Centre, said: “This just seems to be an outbreak of common sense.
“The extension certainly can’t hinder this.
“At Christmas, I just think it would have been a terrible state of affairs if people came Christmas shopping and forgot to get a ticket and found themselves with a £60 fine.
“It will maybe create a nice atmosphere for a wee bit of Christmas shopping.”