Parking campaign forces North Ayrshire Council to re-consider charges

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Three petitions protesting against controversial planned parking charges in North Ayrshire will now go before council chiefs after being accepted at Tuesday’s Audit and Scrutiny Committee.Protestors from Dino and Sons in Kilwinning, Billy’s Barbers in Irvine and a Saltcoats business representative stated their cases to the committee.They are looking to overturn the proposals which were agreed by North Ayrshire Council's Cabinet recently.Tom Biondi of Kilwinning Shopkeepers and Residents, representing Dino and Sons, said: “We have 2,900 written signatures and added to the online signatures of 1933 that's over 4,800 signatures against parking charges.“A council that is fair for all recognises there is strength in doing things together, engages with and listens to and supports communities to be active partners, is ambitious and trained to improve North Ayrshire.“Seven businesses in Kilwinning are in danger of closing.“Why were we not consulted in some towns about parking charges in North Ayrshire?

Free parking is a key factor in people visiting town centres.“We are in an energy crisis. The cost of living has sky-rocketed which is impacting Kilwinning Main Street massively.“This policy goes against the Scottish Government town centre policy which talks about regenerating main streets.“We have spoken to John Glover, Donald Reid and Joe Cullinane but Scott Davidson hasn't made himself available to discuss this any further.“Customers say the council is forcing them out of the Main Street because they can’t afford to park.

Our community voted for you and they are saying they will vote some of you out.“The council is there for the people, not the other way round.