Why Glasgow security guard is taking action against council

John Hogg has accused the local authority of “punishing” low income workers with a cash grab that will extend fees to 10pm in all city zones.

The 60-year-old, from Govan, has launched a petition which has gained more than 10,000 signatures slamming the plans.

Glasgow City Council made the decision after their budget required £107m worth savings from services over the next three years.

John Hogg has started a petition (Image: Gordon Terris)

John said: “Thousands of low income workers are going to be hit by these charges, that is who is being punished here.

“If you work minimum wage in a nightclub or bar, there's no public transport at the end of your shift. You have no other way to get home.

“This means struggling workers will need to take a massive pay cut which is so unfair, we are just being hammered here.

“I started the petition because I wanted to fight it, we can’t just go quietly and accept this.

“The response has been surprising but it proves that so many people are affected by this, why target low income workers if you need to save money?”

John relies on his car for work at night because public transport stops (Image: Gordon Terris)

The city has 24 zones with parking restrictions just now where metered bays are in place and residents purchase permits.

In six of them, the hours are from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

In the other 18 zones the hours are either Monday to Friday or Monday to Saturday usually 8am to 6pm.

But following the council passing a budget last week it will be changed to see all zones moving to 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

The zones affected include the city centre which is currently 8am to 6pm Monday to Sunday with an off-peak charge on a Sunday from 9.15am to 4.15pm Currently, only North Kelvin/North Woodside, Belmont, Hillhead, Woodlands, Kelvingrove and Garnethill have extended hours up to 10pm each day.

The move was agreed in the budget after the Scottish Greens and SNP reached a deal to support a plan.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Changes to pay and display hours in parking zones were agreed as part of a budget that required to find £107m worth savings from council services over the next three years.

“The budget has sought to target poverty and invest in support for communities with Council Tax frozen for the next year.

“The longstanding approach with parking controls has been to prioritise parking for residents in the city’s 22 parking zones.

“By standardising parking hours across all zones we are aiming to provide the maximum benefit for permit holders seven days a week.

“We also hope to encourage a shift to more sustainable forms of transport.”

John’s online petition reads: “This will have a disastrous effect on thousands of low paid workers working in the night time economy, clubs, pubs, restaurants, and theatre.”

You can access the petition here.