'Voluntary' parking payment meters introduced at Inverness Leisure
Machines accepting car parking fees are being unveiled outside Inverness Leisure today.
It is understood at least three machines are being installed.
Motorists use the car park to go to the leisure centre, the aquadome, Queens Park athletics stadium and Inverness Botanic Gardens.
Images indicate it will cost £1 for a two-hour stay.
It is unclear when the charges will come into force – or why the machines have been put in place.
A spokesperson for High Life Highland, which operates the leisure centre and botanic gardens, said: “Voluntary parking payment meters are planned for instalment by the Highland Council in the Bught area starting Thursday, June 8, including at Inverness Leisure.
“As these new meters are donation-only, highlife members and users of Bught area car parks will not incur any charges for parking on site.”
A Highland Council spokesman said: “Following decisions by councillors at the March 2023 council meeting – Highland Council is extending their successful ‘invitation to pay scheme’ to additional car parks this year.
"The scheme invites customers to pay for their stay to directly support investment in local infrastructure and facilities. Non-payment will not be enforced as this is a donation-based scheme.
“The 23 car parks delivered since 2021 have grossed £165,744. A further 10 sites are being delivered this summer with more being reviewed for implementation.”
