Further expansion of parking zones lined up after outcry

The Scotsman
ALAN RODEN TRANSPORT REPORTER
(aroden@edinburghnews.com)

THE city's newly expanded controlled parking zone is set to be extended again following an outcry from residents.
The council is looking at introducing restrictions in three more areas - Gillsland Road in Merchiston, Easter Road and Goldenacre in Inverleith - just days after the city's parking wardens started to patrol scores of new streets around the edges of the city centre.
More protests are expected around the city following the chaotic scenes as the new restrictions were introduced this week.
A campaign is being planned in the south of the Grange, while there are concerns in Blackford, Blackhall, Murrayfield and parts of Craigleith, amid fears the extended zone will simply shift problems with on-street parking.
The city's new transport leader, Councillor Ricky Henderson, said today he would listen to any requests from communities.
He also vowed to act fast to curb the worst problems experienced by motorists and residents this week.
Cars and buses south of the Grange have been suffering major delays because parked cars - forced off nearby streets by the new restrictions - have clogged both sides of the road.
Cllr Henderson said the council will rush through an emergency traffic order, allowing double yellow lines to be painted on a number of streets in the area, including the badly affected Strathearn Place.
Pay-and-display meters and residents' parking bays have been introduced in two areas of the city - covering Marchmont, the Grange, Hillside and Broughton - for the first time this week.
The changes have had a major knock-on effect on streets just outside the extended zone, where motorists are still looking for free parking.
Cllr Henderson said that some knock-on effect had always been expected and the council would look at problems that arise.
But he said large-scale changes were unlikely at this stage, although they could follow in years to come, and would require months of consultation.
"We have to make sure we communicate with people, and I want to resolve any problems as quickly as possible," he said.
"If residents want to be included in the controlled parking zone, then that could build up an impetus, but we would have to weigh up the views of local people and be certain it is the right thing to do.
"But we also hope that park-and-rides will reduce the need for inner city parking, and some sites will have to be expanded soon."
Council chiefs today recommended including Easter Road in the new zone, which will allow tenement residents to buy a permit for side streets to the west, rather than just in the free parking bays to the east.
The changes, which will not affect pay-and-display bays on the main road itself, are likely to come into effect on September 25.
The council is also considering extending the zone to include Gillsland Road in Merchiston, following a campaign by residents fearful of a congestion increase.
Proposals to include streets north of Inverleith Place in Goldenacre will shortly be published, again after residents' comments.
Merchiston Community Council chair Bridget Stevens said: "Residents now fear the knock-on effect on their streets, and a majority of residents on Gillsland Road want to be included."
The extended scheme has been designed to stop commuters clogging up residential streets in the search for free parking.
Dozens of residents have contacted the Evening News to highlight the problems this has created, particularly on Strathearn Place, Clinton Road, Kilgraston Road, Blackford Avenue and Oswald Road, and in Abbeyhill.