PARKING rules in Kilmacolm are to be reviewed after hundreds of people signed a petition complaining that traders are losing business because drivers are being booked by the council’s new parking wardens.

Council leader Stephen McCabe has announced a rethink following a special meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council called to discuss parking issues.

The move has welcomed today by Councillor David Wilson, who organised the petition which attracted over 700 signatures in two weeks from people in the village and surrounding area.

Both of the councillors represent ward one, which includes Kilmacolm.

Cllr McCabe said a number of senior council officers were at the meeting to make a presentation and answer questions on the current parking arrangements.

He said: “The principal issue of contention was the 30-minute limit for on-street parking in the main shopping streets, which most of those present felt was insufficient.

“Other concerns related to residents’ parking, off-street parking provision and inconsiderate parking by some motorists.

“Officers will use the feedback from the meeting to inform a review of parking arrangements in Kilmacolm, which will be reported to the relevant council committee before the summer recess.

“I have asked officers to look at how we can increase both on-street and off-street parking provision within the village to try to address the concerns of traders and residents.

“The council is keen to support Kilmacolm traders in these difficult times and would wish to ensure the parking arrangements in the village don’t have a detrimental impact on their businesses.

“We also have a duty, however, to make sure these arrangements serve the interests of pedestrians so that the village centre is a safe place to shop and live.” Mr McCabe has also arranged a separate meeting with local traders for 9 March at 6.30pm in the community centre to discuss their specific concerns.

Cllr Wilson said he would attend that meeting to formally hand over his petition to the council.

He said: “I think the petition has had an effect.

“There is a groundwell of feeling that the 30-minute limit is not long enough for people to do shopping and visit one of the village’s seven coffee shops.

“People want to see this limit increased to two hours, and also have the single yellow line restriction removed from some streets to allow parking.” The councillor said the 30-minute limit had been in force for many years, but problems were being caused now because of the way this was being enforced by the council’s new wardens.

He added: “I would also like to see the field behind the old police station being brought into use as a long stay car park.”