Largs businessman's blistering attack on parking restriction

Les Ward, who owns Wards of Largs, says it has led to visitors telling him that they won't come back after being given a fine, and he believes, like a lot of other businesses in the town, that the one hour limit is far too short.

A number of businesses say that while the introduction of strict parking regulations to Largs Main Street has resulted in more spaces being freed up, there needs to be more flexibility with longer stay parking a must.

The News interviewed a number of businesses in the town regarding the introduction of wardens last month to impose the one hour and no return parking restrictions to the town.

There was a two week bedding in period before fines were officially issued.

The bid to bring in decriminalised parking, with the local authority taking over the running of parking restrictions and enforcement, happened this year after ten years of delay.

And when the move was introduced across North Ayrshire, it has led to wardens patrolling streets and ensuring that there is no parking on pavements, as well as adhering to the one hour parking and no return in town centres.

Les said: "I have been trading in the town for 40 years and we know that parking has always been a problem and it will not go away. Parking wardens for me have been a nightmare and worst thing that has ever happened to the town.

"The wardens themselves are very pleasant people who are doing their job but I am watching people parking outside my shop who are getting tickets.

"They have come to Largs for the day to spend a nice day in our town and a nice wee holiday resort, and they say they won't be back as they have had a £50 ticket on their screen.

"It should be two hours at the very least as an hour is no good. It is alright for someone who wants to pop into Co-op, get themselves a bottle of wine and a bag of crisps and up the road.

"But for a daytripper it is a nightmare, and I have heard them say exactly that."

Brian Lennon, who runs The Great Outdoors shop, believes that the one hour limit is far too short.

He said: "I think one hour is cutting it too fine. I think two hours would be reasonable.

"There are signs on one side of the Main Street but there are no signs on this side. With one hour, can you really get to an appointment, and do what you have to do?

"Two hours would be much more reasonable. These are the comments I am receiving. The problem is that you want people to spend a couple of hours in Largs, maybe go down the front for a wee walk, rather than worrying over time limits."

Grace Bowman of Boutique Hair Spa said: "I think the parking in Largs is a huge problem, there’s just not enough spaces. I think restrictions should be in place once the issue has been resolved. One hour seems pretty ridiculous, however it  has freed up a lot of spaces and the Main Street is now half full half the time. 
"I'd be interested in seeing a report on the footfall now compared to before the restrictions came into play. I would walk to work but I live 25 minutes up the glen, and work long shifts, and with the Scottish weather it just doesn’t fill me with glee to walk home in the rain after a 12 hour shift standing all day. And there are now less spaces in Bath and Fort Street implemented after the restrictions.

" I got a ticket the first week in Gallowgate Street because I was there more than an hour. It cost me £65 to park that week. I was thinking of an e-bike, but where could I leave it? Answers on a postcard please 
"On the other hand, it is easy now to nip down town as long as you're going to be power shopping! You could have five minutes in every shop and a 15 minute coffee in a coffee shop! Maybe the restaurants could do express lunches."

Scott Paton, owner of AD Paton Butchers in Aitken Street, said: "We have found that people can get parked and get their shopping done here and away again rather than having to drive round and round for a parking space. 

"The turnover of customers is quite good, but I do find a 60 minute limit quite tight and think it should be extended.

"If you want to go shopping and say you want to pop in for a coffee, or you go somewhere and you find there is a queue, what do you do?

"It isn't much fun if you are going for a bite to eat somewhere and you are constantly looking at your watch.

Scott Paton (Image: Newsquest)

"I think extending it to two hours, particularly during weekends, would be a good move especially with tourists coming. 

"I think the issue is too is that the move has been introduced right across North Ayrshire, it is not just Largs, so other town centres have these restrictions too.

"The good thing is that people can find a parking space if they are nipping in to Superdrug, or the chemists, but there isn't a lot of time in one hour so you are quite restricted.

"Even if there was some longer stay in the back streets - just something to give a bit more time to people when visiting Largs."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The one hour waiting time is considered suitable for the needs of most drivers visiting Largs town centre. For those requiring longer, there are a number of parking options nearby, including short and long stay car parks, and non-time limited on-street parking.

“We would encourage people to visit the council website at www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/parking which contains a list of our available car parks.

“We are encouraged by the feedback we have received since the introduction of parking enforcement and will continue to monitor how the new service is progressing.”