A FORMER Ferguson's worker has slammed a demand by a Port councillor for shipyard employees to park their cars at the eyesore Clune Park housing estate as a 'disgrace'.

Alastair Laing hit out at the move by former Inverclyde depute provost David Wilson - who is annoyed by staff parking at the Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow statues at Coronation Park.

Councillor Wilson claims that workers are taking up all the parking spaces near the statues - known locally as 'The Skelpies' - and are deterring visitors.

Greenock Telegraph:

But Mr Laing, a member of Slaemuir Tenants and Residents Association, said: "It's ridiculous. The workers have been parking there for years but they've now to move because of these big statues.

"Councillor Wilson is surmising that all these visitors who come to see the statues cannot get parked.

"The council could widen the road, there is plenty of grass.

"To suggest people park their cars in Robert Street, a place the council is trying to demolish, and where flats get set on fire, and cross two carriageways in the dark mornings and at night in winter is ridiculous.

"I worked in Ferguson's myself. It's a joke.

"Would David Wilson park his car there for eight hours a day, five days a week?"

 

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Councillor Wilson acknowledged Mr Laing's contribution to the community over the years but he said that on this occasion he had to disagree.

He said: "Alaistair has made many good suggestions over the years but I disagree.

"There has to be a solution to the problem. Ferguson's has a duty to Port Glasgow, given they have not done much to imporve the name of Port Glasgow.

Greenock Telegraph:

"I have parked my car in Glasgow Road for the Toll Boys Memorial but not five days a week.

"It is not beyond Ferguson's management to provide security.

"Your car can be vandalised anywhere. "

Councillor Wilson also replied to Mr Laing's complaint about crossing a busy carriageway and the distance from the shipyard.

He said: "This happens all over Britain, people don't necessarily park outside the door of their work.

"Council employees have to park all over Greenock, up to half a mile away and the council is the biggest employer in Greenock."

"It is not beyond Ferguson's management to organise something to organise a mini bus from Glasgow Road."

A spokesman for Ferguson Marine previously said: “Ferguson Marine is a major employer in Port Glasgow, with hundreds of workers on-site every day, which is more than our on-site parking can accommodate.

"This inevitably means that public parking areas and streets close to the yard will be busy.

“We have shared Councillor Wilson’s concerns with our employees and encouraged them to use alternative parking arrangements, and would be happy to meet with him to discuss this further.

"Ultimately, though, we are unable to enforce where our employees park.”