SHORT-STAY parking restrictions are being introduced in Irvine and Kilwinning – in a bid to free up more spaces.

North Ayrshire Council has revealed that drivers will now only be able to park for a maximum of three hours at four car parks across North Ayrshire.

Parking at Irvine’s Bridgegate and Kirkgate, as well as Oxenward in Kilwinning, will now be subject to a three-hour limit from 9am to 5pm between Monday and Saturday.

The restrictions, which also apply to Chapelwell Street in Saltcoats, will come into force on Tuesday, November 18.

The council says the new strategy can help boost the economy by attracting more people into the heart of town centres.
NAC claims the need for short-stay parking was identified in the council’s town centre parking strategy, approved by cabinet in July 2014.

Since that approval, a study of car parking in Irvine was carried out, recognising it would increase the turnover of spaces and availability of short-term parking.

All other council car parks – including the new Caledonian Car Park in Irvine – will continue to provide long-stay parking for those who work in town centres or wish to stay longer than the three-hour period.

Directional signage will be improved in these towns to ensure people know where to park.

A range of improvements to on-street parking in Irvine will also be made at West Road, Seagate, Kirkgate, Kirk Vennel and Parterre, alongside the short-stay parking proposals.

This includes parking bay road markings, waiting restrictions and 20mph signs.

Irvine residents have repeatedly voiced their fears about town centre car parking as a result of the new £20 million Portal Leisure Centre in the town centre.

Surveys will be carried out and the new approach will be assessed over the coming months to see if there is a need for enforcement measures to be put in place.

Cllr Alex Gallagher, cabinet member for economy, said: “The car parks closest to the town centre fill up quicker than those slightly further away.

“If these are at capacity, with no spaces, you have to park further away and you might just choose to go elsewhere.

“We want to make the spaces closer to the town centre more accessible by introducing a time limit.

“This could see the spaces in the car parks used by three or four vehicles per day rather than just one and, ultimately, this will increase town centre footfall.

He added: “We know we have enough parking spaces across all of our car parks to meet demand but we need to make better use of all the space so that we can increase footfall in the town centre and support our local businesses.

“We are also improving routes between car parks and town centres and giving people alternatives. We recognise this might be a change for people but we are looking at how to improve our town centres for everyone.

“We will be monitoring this approach and we’re confident that people will see the benefits of this and support these guidelines.”