Introduction of parking fees to Mull abandoned following Govan Law Centre intervention

Argyll and Bute Council has apologised for attempting to introduce parking charges of £9 per day across its jurisdiction.

Council leader Aileen Morton had sought to introduce the levy at the port of Fionnphort on Mull, which has the only ferry connection to Iona, where visitors’ vehicles have been banned since 1978.

Govan Law Centre wrote to the council to outline the key objections that community councils raised and asked it to consider the unique aspects of Scottish island life.

Car parking charges at harbours on Mull would have a detrimental impact on lifeline ferry services for both locals and tourists and the introduction of charges would have an adverse socio-economic impact on residents and local businesses, GLC wrote.

Shiona Ruhemann, convenor of Mull and Iona Community Council, said there had been no thought given to how the charge would affect people living on the island or who work there during the day and leave their cars behind.

She said: “Visitors coming to see islanders, teachers who work in the primary school and even the ferry workers who maintain the lifeline service between Fionnphort on Mull and Iona would have been left with bills of hundreds of pounds a year.”

Ms Ruhemann added: “It has been surreal. We have found ourselves turning to lawyers to protect ourselves from our own council and the people who are supposed to represent us.

“I hope that lessons are learned and we can rebuild trust by finding out how on earth this happened and by making sure that it does not happen again.”

Argyll and Bute Council chief executive Cleland Sneddon, said: “Concerns had been raised with the council, by local people, about the need for better managed and safer parking, issues which had to be addressed. To do so a TRO was required.

“We have to apologise unreservedly to the people of Mull and Iona, however, for a flawed exercise – with our biggest regret being the negative impact this has had on relationships between residents of Mull and Iona, and the council.”

He added: “We can assure residents that we have learned lessons from this, and that we remain committed to working with our communities to deliver parking arrangements that work for the residents and visitors of Mull and Iona.”