A PETITION has paid off after roads officials backed down in a row over parking rules in Largs.

Town centre resident Andy Adair collected 200 signatures in a bid to have controversial yellow lines removed from Bath Street and Fort Street.

Andy had started the petition following North Ayrshire Council’s sudden decision to enforce historic double and single yellows in the area, removing even more parking spaces from the town centre.

Local businesses backed the petition, as they believed the rules were putting customers off and hurting trade as a result.

Mr Adair, roads committee chair for Largs Community Council, recently met with local authority officials and they have now confirmed they will not enforce the single yellow lines.

Whilst double yellow lines will still be enforceable, the council say they will look at the issue and the decriminalisation of parking in North Ayrshire.

Andy said: “I am pleased that they are finally listening to what we have to say.

"This is an issue which can’t be ignored.

“I have been assured that the signs with the restrictions will not be going up until another solution has been found, which means that the police cannot enforce the restrictions.

“They told me that residents can go back to normal and park outside their home on the single yellow lines.

“Something else definitely needs to be done for the long term, but at least they have started listening to us.”

North Ayrshire Council says it is looking at a range of options to reduce congestion around Largs ferry terminal.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we will not be replacing the time restriction sign plates that would make the single yellow lines in Bath Street or Fort Street enforceable.

“Therefore, the parking restrictions on the single yellow lines will not be enforceable on motorists parking there at this time, although the restrictions on parking on the double yellow lines will still be enforceable.

“We will be considering this issue further as we develop proposals for the decriminalisation of parking on public roads across North Ayrshire, a decision which was approved by the council as part of its budget-setting process earlier this year."