A NEW parking charge is being introduced in central Greenock from Monday — while another car park will become free to use.

The bullring was a three-hour, free car park, but users will now be charged £1 to stay there from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

However, the Waterfront Leisure Centre car park will become free unlimited parking, although the cinema section will remain a maximum three hour stay.

The changes were hailed as a Christmas bonus by local authority environment and regeneration convener, Councillor Michael McCormick.

He said: “The new parking arrangements come just in time for the big build-up for Christmas, when we want to encourage shoppers and visitors into the town centre.

“I‘m sure these new arrangements will make the car parks much more attractive options for people looking to park for more than a few hours within easy walking distance of the shops and Waterfront Leisure Centre, and will benefit local people by helping to discourage parking on residential streets.”

New parking regulations were introduced in Greenock town centre last October.
In May, on-street parking in the area known as ‘inner Greenock’ was increased from a maximum stay of 30 minutes to two hours.

Charges for parking at council-run car parks were also lifted on Saturdays.

Cllr McCormick added: “The intention has always been to create a greater turnover of spaces to encourage more people into the town centre and to make better use of the available parking spaces for the benefit of local businesses and residents.”

Meanwhile, new traffic regulation orders will also come into force for the electric car charging points in the car parks at Cathcart Street West, Lochwinnoch Road in Kilmacolm and Fore Street in Port Glasgow.

Cars parked there which are not being charged up will be issued with fixed penalty notices.