FED-UP neighbours of an Irvine restaurant have spoken out over persistent parking problems.

Management at Si! in Kilwinning Road have been criticised by residents who claim that staff at the restaurant are blocking their driveways with their parked cars.

Five residents took their case to Irvine Community Council where they appealed for their help in order to resolve the matter.

The Times told last month how neighbours tried to stop owners SimpsInns adding an outdoor drinking area to the restaurant because of the parking problems.

The company also submitted an application to North Ayrshire Council’s Licencing Board to permit the use of the outdoor area by people with soft drinks early in the morning, allow access to under-18s.

Ronnie Gilmour was one of the five residents at the Community Council.

He said: “I’ve stayed in the area for 25 years and prior to Si opening, the only time parking was a problem here was when people were either stopping to use their mobile phone or ask for directions, so it’s been a complete change for the residents.

“I appreciate SimpsInns employ a lot of staff but a lot of them are young and don’t appreciate at times where they should park. In fairness, whenever I have personally phoned Si to have the cars moved they have complied but it’s still very dangerous.” Irene Farrell of Kilwinning Road voiced her concerns about children’s safety after a series of near-misses on the road.

She added: “I’ve got grandchildren and I came out recently in my car and I couldn’t see down the road from my drive.

“But as I was edging out, I saw a red car coming through the gap and I had to quickly pull back. My car is very low and I’m not above the vision of other cars and as I’ve tried to look out I’ve almost been hit.

“There’s been a few similar incidents and I am deeply concerned that one day if the kids are in the car then there could be a bad accident. It’s so dangerous to drive out of, you’re left totally blind.” Members of Irvine Community Council unanimously agreed with the residents fears and offered to write letters to SimpsInns chief Malcolm Simpson and North Ayrshire Council.

At a meeting of the Licencing Board last month, the agent for Simpsinns, Mr Hunter said: “The overwhelming majority of letters talk about parking issues, but with the greatest of respect that is not an issue for this board.

“The only issue for this board is whether it should permit the consumption of alcohol in the outdoor area.” However, Councillor Tom Marshall argued: “The people objecting regard the parking problem as a public nuisance. Can you not be good neighbours and give some indication that you will address these issues? That would take some of the heat out of the situation.” A spokesperson for SimpsInns: “We were advised by a local resident that they believed staff members - parking on the public highway - had slightly overlapped the entrance to their drive. When the staff member involved was identified, the car was moved immediately and an apology was given. Whilst it is perfectly legal for any member of the public to park on the public highway, we have asked our team to be extra vigilant and careful not to cause any obstruction or inconvenience to residents in the immediate vicinity.”