He’s been told they’ve first to complete a project on disabled parking, and it’s not yet known when the work will finally get under way.

Mr Macpherson said, “Residents who have had long-term problems with parking near their homes in the affected parts of the West End will be disappointed at the delay with progress on this issue.”

The West End scheme is intended to cover the Perth Road area up from the city centre out to Sinderins and up to the southern side of Blackness Road.

Residents would pay for parking permits that would give them exclusive use of certain on-street spaces.

The results of a questionnaire distributed in the area found more than half of the 500 of so people who responded said they had trouble getting parked during the day, with approval in principle of the parking scheme running at two to one.

Earlier this year councillors on the city development committee heard the council was hoping to make progress on four schemes around the city, including Dudhope, Hilltown and Princes Street.

Holding public consultations and coming up with detailed designs was expected to take up to three years, with the design work starting this summer.

However, Mike Galloway, director of city development, has told Mr Macpherson, “At present the priority for the council is to progress with the implementation of the disabled parking legislation.

“It was highlighted to committee that progress on residents’ parking would follow on from this as the council is compelled by Scottish Government to undertake its implementation.

“We are currently working through this, and the work has been more substantial than first anticipated. Residents’ parking will follow on from this and it is likely it will be later in the year before progress on the designs will be made.”

He has been unable to say exactly when the work will start or how long it will take.

Mr Macpherson said, “I do not doubt the city council has had a significant task in relation to implementation of the revised disabled parking legislation, but I will be keeping a close eye on the residents’ parking issue as I am anxious the planned work to improve parking takes place as soon as possible.”

WHAT PEOPLE THINK

The Tele asked West End residents if they think empty parking spaces are hard to find, and whether they’re disappointed at the delay in the scheme.

— Phyllis Patterson (63), a healthcare assistant from Riverside Place, said, “I don’t have a car but my daughter tries to park in the West End and finds it quite difficult at times, so she would be disappointed at this delay.”

— Fraser Reid (25), grocer from Perth Road, said, “I don’t find parking here that difficult at the moment. My customers would find it more difficult to park if all the business owners and residents got permits and took up the spaces. Plus it’s free parking around a lot of the West End, anyway, so it seems silly to have to start paying when they do bring in the permits.”

— Kerry Davis (40), a barber from Perth Road, said, “When the students are here it’s very difficult to park. To some degree I would be in favour of a parking permit scheme, but in terms of the financial aspect I’m not disappointed they’re delaying it.”

— Valerie Lacey (60), a nurse from Shepherd’s Loan, said, “It is difficult for shopping along Perth Road where it’s hard to find a space. They definitely need to introduce some sort of permit scheme.”