North Ayrshire Labour has announced its councillors will vote against introducing town centre parking charges at Wednesday’s full council meeting.
The controversial plans to introduce parking fees at: Kilwinning's Almswall Road and Oxenward; Irvine's Kirkgate, West Road and East Road; Largs' Gateside Street and Saltcoats' Chapwell Street, Bradshaw Street, Windmill Street and Kirkgate, caused backlash across the region.
Worried traders and patrons submitted over 4,000 signatures to the council in November 2022 but the administration's plans were undeterred and a final decision is set to be made on the matter at the full council meeting on Wednesday, February 22.
But counter parking charges protesters have now secured the Labour vote after the party announced their support last night.
The Labour Group called for the policy to be reviewed last September but the motion was voted down by the council’s SNP administration who voted to proceed with introducing parking charges next financial year but to review the tariffs levied.
Kilwinning Labour councillor Donald Reid has been listening to traders in the town about their concerns and recently attended the town's locality budget engagement session where over 70 local residents attended to oppose parking charges.
Mr Reid said: “Local businesses took a massive hit during the covid pandemic and the future of our local high streets remains very fragile with businesses now facing soaring overheads due to inflation.
“Our local traders have been clear - if parking charges are introduced in the current economic climate many of them will close. The impact that will have on our economy and our communities will be devastating.
“That’s why the Labour Group will be voting against introducing parking charges on Wednesday.
“When thousands of local people make their views clear on an issue it is our job as councillors to take that seriously and North Ayrshire Labour councillors will be their voice in the council chamber next week.”
The support has been praised by landlord Graeme Milliken, who was one of the petition's organisers.
He said: "Any support is good support and it would be nice to see some of the other councillors from the other parties take a stand.
"It's good Labour have decided to back us and it's appreciated but the vote is going to be a close one. I'm not sure which way it's going to go but I'm hopeful it will go the way of the people.
"Surely after everything, common sense must prevail."
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