The boss of a garage in Leith says he is “confused and incredibly annoyed” after the local council painted ‘permit holders only‘ parking lines outside the entrance to his premises.
Robert Doig of Doig Motor Engineers was told he would have to buy a permit and park his own car there to guarantee access to his garage.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Mr Doig said: “The street was listed for potential permits back in 2021 but that was the last notification that I can remember receiving before they came in.
“The workers began showing up on Tuesday morning [May 9] and began putting cones around the cars. I went out and asked them what was going on and they told me that permit holder bays were being put in.

“I asked them how that was supposed to work as they were essentially blocking off my business by putting the spaces right in front of our entrance.
“I told them that this was ridiculous, and to be fair to the workers they sympathised with me, and called for their boss to come down.
“He basically said that there was nothing that he could do and that the bays would have to go there as that is what was in the plans.
“We need 24 hours access to this place and I tried to get this across to him but he just told me tough luck and that they would be finishing the bays off.”
The local council argues that the parking restrictions have been introduced to protect residents’ parking and that the plans received no objections. Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said Strategic Parking Review officers will be monitoring the impact of the changes.

Writing on the garage’s Facebook page, Robert Doig says he is “confused and incredibly annoyed” by the council’s decision. He labelled it “madness”, before pleading for someone to rectify the issue.
His post was accompanied by an image captured by CCTV showing the street. He said: “Across the street, no parking allowed outside bike and bin storage areas, yet my business isn’t seen as important perhaps?”
Source: Edinburgh Live.
Peter Fearnley
My sympathies Robert my garage is semi rural last May the public road outside was painted with double red lines stopping parking altogether except for 2 6 car bays not outside my garage that can be used for a limited time period I complained to my MP – not even a reply