Cashless ticketing machines among Elgin parking changes approved

CASHLESS ticketing machines are to be installed in car parks in Elgin, as part of a series of parking improvements approved today.

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the machines – funded by developer obligations – which will allow car park users to ‘pay and display’ by using cash or a credit/debit card.

Members of the Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee also approved revised parking charges, a rise in parking fines and the introduction of pay and display waiting restrictions at Elgin Railway Station’s car park, Cooper Park and North College Street West, following a period of public consultation.

Price changes will come into effect during May, with details of all costs displayed on ticket machines and on Moray Council’s website.

Income raised from the car parks is used to covers the costs of operating council-owned car parks across Moray, including maintenance, supervision and the enforcement of waiting restrictions, with surplus income shared with trusts who own car park land.

Committee Chair, Cllr John Cowe, said the changes would make for a more even distribution of parking across Elgin, as well as raise £79,000 additional income.

“There are thousands of car parking spaces available in Elgin, both on and off street. We, like many other local authorities in Scotland, review our charges to make sure we can afford to continue operating the dozens of car parks we are responsible for.

“Introducing ticket machines which allow users to pay by card or cash will make life easier for many, and those who flout our parking regulations will face tougher penalties.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.