Dumfries and Galloway Council are to discuss plans to create additional car parking in the Whitesands area if a flood protection scheme

is approved.

Included in the plans, is an option for the local authority to purchase land which belongs to D&G Homes. At the moment, the land is used for 'pay and display' parking, but it is not fully used. If the land was purchased, it would result in around 120 free car parking spaces, an increase of around 65 spaces over current peak usage of the site.

Elsewhere, on-street parking could be reviewed to create an extra 75 spaces, while Council car parks could also be reworked and changed to create a further 18 spaces.

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Parking at the Greensands has also been investigated and has a potential capacity of 129 spaces, compared to the current 75 spaces, and a stepped pedestrian access to the former art college car park would make this area more accessible.

If implemented, the changes would see 230 replacement spaces provided, which would replace the spaces lost alongside the river if the flood protection scheme is given the go ahead to proceed.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Chairman of the Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, explained: "We have been clear from the start of this process that any car parking which is removed as a result of the flood defences would need to be replaced and these options could see us not only meet this requirement but possibly provide more car parking spaces.

"We will continue to support traders and businesses on the Whitesands, and in the town generally, and will ensure that as the design progresses there is still parking outside the Whitesands shops and that the bus stances remain in close proximity."

(JP/MH)