PLANS to simplify parking rules across the district have been unveiled by Inverclyde Council.
The local authority is seeking views on proposals to alter existing regulations, which vary in towns and villages, and standardise them right across the area.
Changes, if agreed, would affect Greenock, Port Glasgow, Gourock and Kilmacolm centres where there are currently on-street restrictions, and include the following in designated areas:
• Two-hour restriction with no return within 30 minutes, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm;
• Requirement to display a parking disc;
• Exemption for Residents’ Parking Permit holders and Blue Badge holders.
• Free-of-charge parking
It is also proposed to introduce a sliding scale for charges in council-owned pay-and-display car parks allowing up to two hours’ free parking and a charge of between £1 to £4 thereafter depending on the length of stay with Residents’ Permit and Blue Badge holders exempt.
All council paid-for car parks are currently free to use until 1 September but would normally cost a flat rate of £2 to park all day.
If agreed, the new car park charges would be:
Up to two hours — free
Two to three hours — £1
Three to four hours — £2
Four-plus hours — £4
The changes are being proposed following feedback from the public, traders of the town and village centres and visitors.
A consultation seeking the views from individuals and businesses has now launched and will run until August.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “We know that parking restrictions can vary between our town and village centres and can be confusing so the aim here is to standardise the rules right across Inverclyde to make it simpler for locals, businesses and visitors to know what the regulations are and act accordingly no matter where they are parking.
“These proposed changes also create more free spaces for people to make use of, provide greater choice over the length of stay, and exempt Residents’ Permit and Blue Badge holders to ensure they can still access parking easily.
“While these changes are based on feedback from residents, visitors and traders, it is important that as many people as possible who may be affected by the proposals get the opportunity to have their say before any final decisions are made and I encourage individuals and businesses to take part in this consultation and help us in our efforts to improve parking in Inverclyde.”
Traffic regulation orders would need to be promoted to formally introduce the changes.
