NEW parking rules in Port Glasgow town centre have today been welcomed by two local councillors.

Chris Curley and Jim MacLeod say a move to introduce a three hour restriction in two of the town's busiest car parks will help traders recover from the Covid-19 crisis.

The new limit is set to be imposed on weekdays for both Fore Street and Shore Street, with a disc display scheme introduced.

Councillors Curley and MacLeod believe this will benefit both residents living in the town centre and shoppers.

The introduction of the new three hour rule follows concerns from local retailers and residents about lack of available spaces.

Fears were raised that this was putting people off from shopping in the Port town.

Cllr Curley said: "This is an important move to help Port Glasgow town centre recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We need to do all we can to help town centres in Inverclyde, and parking has a big part to play.

"The proposals for off street car parking in Port Glasgow town centre have at their heart the prioritisation of short-term free parking during the week to encourage people to use our local town centre.

"I, like many people, have been in the situation of not being able to get parked in the Fore Street car park to visit shops or the health centre and instead have had to use street parking, which is currently limited to 30 minutes."

Beyond the three hour restriction on free parking from Monday to Friday, motorists will have to pay a £2 charge thereafter.

There are also plans to extend waiting times for on-street parking from 30 minutes to an hour, subject to a road traffic order.

Cllr MacLeod says he is pleased that residents' parking permits are being introduced under the shake-up.

He said: “It will be great for local residents to retain free parking 24/7 in the car parks once the new parking charges are brought in.

"I said ten years ago that town and village centre residents should have been given permits as part of the new parking policy.

"I'm glad to see that this is now being actioned as part of this group of proposals.

"It has been so unfair that every morning Port town centre residents, many of them elderly, have to move their cars.

"It is not right and is an issue that should have been dealt with a long time ago.

"Hopefully this year it will be."