DRIVERS in Kilmacolm could be able to park their cars in the village without displaying the controversial discs in operation throughout the rest of the district.

Kilmacolm traders had launched a campaign to abolish regulations which they say are causing big problems in the village.

The no-discs proposal was discussed during a heated meeting of the council’s environment and regeneration committee, when councillors said they would consider getting rid of them while keeping the two-hour time limit in place.

Tory David Wilson, pictured, who is not a member of the committee but was allowed to speak at the start of the meeting, urged councillors to support the recommendation.

He argued that the parking discs are causing a huge headache in the village, with shop owners saying it is seriously affecting trade.

He added: “Visitors come to the village and don’t realise they have to display the discs. 

“So I recommend that the committee considers keeping the two-hour parking limit without parking discs.

“This would be similar to the way the parking was prior to 2011 – the only difference is that the time limit then was 30 minutes, whereas it is now two hours.”

But SNP councillor Chris McEleny said any such change would inevitably be viewed as special arrangements being put in place for one particular area of the district. 

He said: “I think this is a fundamental change proposed to the system.

“If you stop the need to use parking discs, people in Greenock and Gourock will come to me and ask why people in Kilmacolm don’t have to use parking discs but they do.

“I can’t support a proposal to give Kilmacolm specialist protective status.”

Council leader Stephen McCabe pointed out there are other areas outwith Kilmacolm where parking is enforced without the use of discs and said parking rules had already been adapted in both Greenock and Gourock.

He added: “I regularly use the council car park in Princes Street in 
Port Glasgow, and that is enforced without the need of a parking disc and there are other examples of this throughout Inverclyde. I understand the practical issues of enforcing a two-hour waiting zone without a disc.

“But I think that if people are sending a message to us that the disc zone is not working, then we should listen to them.”

Councillor Jim MacLeod came out in support of the proposal during the debate.

He said: “A lot of people who come to the village are from outwith the village and don’t know about the disc zone.

“So I fully endorse what is being proposed.”

A formal report on the proposal will now be drawn up – and councillors will then be asked to approve a full public consultation on it.