Perthshire Conservatives have vowed to keep opposing the plan to introduce controversial parking charges for Faskally Woods and want more consultation on the issue.
Murdo Fraser MSP and Councillor John Duff were reacting to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) deciding to implement parking charges for those who use the Woods. Local community groups have told the politicians that they want the charges dropped, but they also pointed out how concerned they are at the lack of consultation and communication by FLS.
Many local residents told the politicians that the first time they had heard about the proposed charge was reading a notice in the Woods.
FLS have recently announced they will reduce the hourly parking charge at Faskally Woods, near Pitlochry, from £2 an hour to £1. However, this move finds no backing from the Perthshire Conservatives, who want the whole issue dropped.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “Although Forestry and Land Scotland have said they will reduce the daily charge, there has been no consultation at all with local residents. Introducing parking charges will impose a burden on people who use the woods every day, so we still ask FLS to rethink this measure.
“We have been told that local residents are annoyed by the lack of consultation by FLS on this issue. We will keep the pressure on FLS to ask if they will drop these controversial parking charges.
And Councillor Duff, leader of Perth and Kinross Conservatives, added: “I have been in discussion with the Friends of Faskally Wood and Pitlochry Community Council and will be trying to arrange a face-to-face discussion between Forestry and Land Scotland and these two local groups. I think it would help to improve everyone’s understanding of the situation if we can get round the table and talk.”
