Ban Free Parking on Public Roads

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Paid parking on all public roads

Roads are public spaces. Parked cars makes public space private space. People cannot walk, cycle, skip, play on public areas because of parked cars. I could not extend my garden onto public space. If I wanted exclusive use of a public facility like a park or leisure centre or museum, I could do it, but I would need to pay. Why not apply the same rules to car parkers? Local authorities should issue parking permits with varying costs to meet local needs. Narrow streets and homes with driveways could have higher charges than streets where road parking did less environmental damage. Homes close to rail and bus stations should be charged more because there is less need to have a car. Permits could be available for those with a disability that need to park at their door.
Fifteen minutes parking would be allowed to let people drop off shopping, children, elderly and disabled people. Street wardens and cameras could be used to enforce the rules, creating jobs and generating income to be used on street improvement programmes. Local authorities need to introduce it. If they have a version in Edinburgh, it can be done everywhere.