The first results of a detailed survey of Perth city centre parking indicates that while some individual car parks are highly popular, there is more than enough capacity to meet demand across the city centre.
Visitors bringing their cars to Perth can rest assured that even on the busiest days, choosing one of the nearby, but less visible car parks, they will never struggle to find a space.
The ongoing parking survey, commissioned by the Council's Transportation and Development Team and conducted by transport consultants Systra, has provided valuable insights into the usage patterns of car parks in Perth city centre. Early analysis of the data collected so far shows that although certain car parks experience high demand, the overall parking infrastructure is well-equipped to handle the influx of vehicles. This finding is particularly encouraging for both residents and visitors, as it highlights the city's ability to accommodate increased visitor numbers without causing significant inconvenience.
Key findings from the initial analysis include:
- The weekday maximum occupancy level across the city is 56% in 2024, compared to 66% in 2017.
- The Saturday maximum occupancy level is also 56% in 2024, compared to 67% in 2017.
- The average duration of stay across all areas surveyed has decreased slightly from 73 minutes in 2017 to 69 minutes in 2024 on weekdays, and increased from 65 minutes in 2017 to 67 minutes in 2024 on Saturdays.
A fuller analysis of the parking survey is currently underway and is expected to be finalised later this month.
Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, commented, "When Council agreed to choose Thimblerow as the site for our new city centre swimming and sports facility, we did so knowing that the car park had long been identified as a development site. The initial findings of the recent parking survey confirm that Perth is well-served for parking spaces and that there will remain sufficient capacity for everyone who needs to still make private car journeys even after the new facility is built.
"The great thing about Perth's compact city centre is that you're never far from alternative options, whether that's bus routes, cycle paths or other car parks. By making better use of the existing city centre parking facilities, we can continue to attract visitors and support local businesses, contributing to the overall vibrancy and economic health of the city."
The parking survey data will be used to provide an evidence base for future decision-making on developments within the city centre as well as delivery of the Council's Mobility Strategy (PDF, 19 MB).
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