A PETITION has been launched calling for a new car park at Barrfields Putting Green.

Largs business owner John Corrigan, who has been leading the calls for improved parking provision in the town centre, is the man behind the drive - and says 80 people have signed in a matter of days.

He says it is time for the council to step in and tackle the issue to prevent town centre traders facing further hardship.

Mr Corrigan told the News: "It is our opinion that this would be the most economical way of providing over 200 additional car parking spaces.

"With the budget available to North Ayrshire Council, this should be considered in terms of assisting the business community and people of Largs during these difficult times.

"We have been pressing for the problem of parking to be addressed for some time and were disappointed that Largs BID made no effort with regard to this to the anger of many of the businesses.

"We would be of the opinion that there is no need for two putting greens in such close proximity to each other as very often they would appear to be unused and weather dependant.

"The existing car park at Barrfields already has an entrance and exit to support additional parking.

"It is adjacent to a pedestrian crossing to assist patrons crossing safely over the main road to the promenade.

"A car parking charge in the summer would also assist in funding the works required to create the additional spaces.

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch says he has received a commitment from council bosses to look at the issue before the onset of the summer season.

Councillor Murdoch broadly supports the move for a car park at Barrfields, adding: and said: "I would be willing to sign John's petition.

"We have thousands who want to come here on a sunny day, and the council should be investing in proper parking."

Mr Corrigan added: "I was recently told that one person who was going to have a wedding in Largs ending up going to the Waterside Hotel at Seamill because of the parking.

"Some fast food outlets are losing £50,000 a year due to the school being re-located, so even more than ever we need parking for tourists.

"There are also less tour buses coming to Largs because of lack of parking."

Cllr. Murdoch says that the council are currently looking at a number of possible solutions.

He added: "This has been my number one priority since being elected but you need all councillors to agree and then there is the financing of it."

At a recent council meeting, Labour councillor Jim Montgomery said that a working group was working on the decriminalising of parking which would take matters out of police hands and into the council's.

A business case will be presented and possibly rubber-stamped at a council meeting in June before undergoing a statutory process, with plans for it to be fully introduced in October 2020.