PRESSURE is mounting on the Inverclyde Council administration to introduce parking permits for people living in the area’s town centres.

Opposition SNP councillors and local MSP Stuart McMillan have united to call on the Labour-run local authority to support their plans to introduce permits for residents affected by controversial new parking regulations.

The party last week submitted an emergency motion to be put before the council’s environment and regeneration committee on Thursday, calling for immediate action to tackle a number of issues.

They want to see permits brought in and a review of on-street waiting times, with a view to extending the current 30-minute restrictions in some areas which they say is affecting town centre traders.

The calls are being driven forward by local SNP group leader Chris McEleny and his deputy Jim MacLeod, who have been campaigning for residents’ permits since before the parking scheme was introduced.

Council officials are also proposing an embarrassing series of changes to the new parking scheme, which only started three weeks ago.

Councillor MacLeod said: “We are very pleased that the council are agreeing to review things and look to see how we can improve.

“I think many people now agree that 30 minutes is just too short a time to be able to do anything worthwhile.

“The other big thing that the SNP group have been consistent about is parking permits for residents.

“It’s shocking really that the administration didn’t include these in their plans.” Greenock councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess says action has to be taken as a matter of urgency to put an end to locals being hit in the pocket to park outside their homes.

He said: “It is high time Labour see the mess they have made of the parking strategy, and agree with the SNP motion to change the time limits and look into permits for residents.

“The situation was entirely preventable, and all along we have called for the needs of residents to be front and centre.”