A DECISION to standardise pay and display parking in the Borders has been described as “unfortunate” by a councillor.

The local authority’s executive committee voted to increase fees at a recent meeting.

But Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell (SNP) says the charging regime is something which could have easily been done locally.

At Peebles Community Council Mr Bell said: “One of the consequences that as of the implementation which will be in six months, is that paid parking charges in Peebles will double.

“A second consequence is the remit of the long-delayed parking review in Peebles, is now somewhat restricted. Though at the meeting councillor [Robin] Tatler did point out that that review is going to go ahead, but there are limitations on the things they can do.

“The wider issue that concerns me, and there’s nothing much any of us can do about it, is subsidiarity – which is to decide things locally that can be decided locally.

“In the past, the regulation of parking charges was decided by local members in consultation with then what was called the Area Forum.

“We now have an Area Partnership, which set up the review that this community council wants to on parking in Peebles, and the executive decided to standardise the charges and operating hours.

“I think that’s unfortunate because it takes away from local people and local councillors decisions which I think can easily be made locally.”

The pay and display car park on Edinburgh Road will only operate on Saturdays, and the two car parks on Kingsmeadows Road and Neidpath Road will remain free.

Chairman Les Turnbull said: “I’m concerned about the parking because, as you rightly say, I would’ve thought that the parking regime should have been decided here in the town and councillor Tatler’s parking review was, I thought, going to be part of that.”

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler (Ind) said the issue of standardisation was a decision taken across the whole of the Borders because of confusion over varying regulations.

The meeting was told that all communities benefit from the charges.

Council leader Shona Haslam (Cons) explained: “It’s also worth noting that all the paid parking money goes back into the community. Last year Eastgate Theatre got a contribution from the paid parking fund to do some work on their building.”

Costs have been standardised, with 50p for up to two hours, £1.50 for between two to four hours, £3 for between four to six hours and £5 for over six hours.