GARETH PARKER The West Australian 2006/12/11 City carparks are full, causing traffic gridlock and frustration for motorists but the message from Perth City Council is get used to it.
City carparks are full, causing traffic gridlock and frustration for motorists — but the message from Perth City Council is “get used to it”.
At least 12 city carparks were full or closed from 11am on Friday causing traffic snarls as motorists waiting for a spot queued dozens deep.
Three jam-packed carparks on Roe Street caused traffic chaos, as cars turning left at Barrack Street ran into the dozen-car queue trying to park above Perth railway station.
Two carparks on opposite sides of Pier Street caused east-bound traffic on Wellington Street to bank up for hundreds of metres with cars forced to wait several changes of lights to clear the intersection.
But Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass had little sympathy for motorists, declaring every progressive city in the world had parking problems and Perth was no different.
“Let’s get real,” Dr Nattrass said. “If you think it’s a problem here, go to Sydney, and if you think they’ve got a problem there, go to London. It’s just a fact of life.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Michael Sutherland, chairman of the PCC’s parking committee, described the city’s parking woes as “shocking”. “The whole city is becoming gridlocked,” Cr Sutherland said. “In reality, the city has grown and there is big pressure on car parking space.” He said motorists should consider parking on the CBD’s outskirts and catching free public transport into the city centre.
He said Langley Park might have to be used during busy periods.
Retail Traders Association director Brian Reynolds said the availability and cost of parking could affect where people shopped though his members were yet to raise the issue with him.
But motorists spoken to by The West Australian on Friday were frustrated.
Tanya Raynsford, who had been waiting to park in Pier Street, said she was questioning her decision to travel from her home in Bunbury to shop in the city.
“It’s been 25 minutes since I started coming up (two blocks) from Wellington Street,” she said.
At least 12 city carparks were full or closed from 11am on Friday causing traffic snarls as motorists waiting for a spot queued dozens deep.
Three jam-packed carparks on Roe Street caused traffic chaos, as cars turning left at Barrack Street ran into the dozen-car queue trying to park above Perth railway station.
Two carparks on opposite sides of Pier Street caused east-bound traffic on Wellington Street to bank up for hundreds of metres with cars forced to wait several changes of lights to clear the intersection.
But Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass had little sympathy for motorists, declaring every progressive city in the world had parking problems and Perth was no different.
“Let’s get real,” Dr Nattrass said. “If you think it’s a problem here, go to Sydney, and if you think they’ve got a problem there, go to London. It’s just a fact of life.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Michael Sutherland, chairman of the PCC’s parking committee, described the city’s parking woes as “shocking”. “The whole city is becoming gridlocked,” Cr Sutherland said. “In reality, the city has grown and there is big pressure on car parking space.” He said motorists should consider parking on the CBD’s outskirts and catching free public transport into the city centre.
He said Langley Park might have to be used during busy periods.
Retail Traders Association director Brian Reynolds said the availability and cost of parking could affect where people shopped though his members were yet to raise the issue with him.
But motorists spoken to by The West Australian on Friday were frustrated.
Tanya Raynsford, who had been waiting to park in Pier Street, said she was questioning her decision to travel from her home in Bunbury to shop in the city.
“It’s been 25 minutes since I started coming up (two blocks) from Wellington Street,” she said.