MAJOR changes to parking enforcement within Largs town centre could see drivers charged to park there before the end of next year.

The News understands that a range of options will be considered by the council cabinet before they take over parking enforcement from police in October 2020 - one of which will see motorists charged to leave their care after one hour has elapsed.

Other options on the table are a timing disc scheme similar to that currently in operation in Inverclyde and Ayr that allows wardens to see when a vehicle was exited.

Business owners today said they are dismayed at the proposals while a local councillor called for an independent group to be set up to look at all options.

Traders say restricting people to just one hour free will drive visitors away from Largs.

Largs Cafe Guzzi manager Keren McClure told the News that the 60 minute time limit won't allow people long enough to sit down for a meal.

She said: "We are looking for a solution to the parking problem, but this will actually make things worse. It means people can't settle down and enjoy a meal, and to my mind one hour is far too short.

"There needs to be some kind of solution to the parking problem and maybe there needs to be a deferential rate for locals."

Businessman Les Ward said: "It won't help the shopkeepers. You don't want people to spend just an hour, you want them to go for a coffee, you want them to go into the shops, you want them to spend around half a day in the town. I think the outcome will be people saying they won't go to Largs at all."

Alan Paton, of AD Paton Butchers in Aitken Street, said: "What will happen to the people who want to stay for the day? How much will they be expected to stump out to stay and will it drive people somewhere else where they can park the car for as long as they want for free?

"Most places in Glasgow it is three hours, so you need to find some kind of happy medium to encourage people to visit."

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch has told the News that it is more important than ever that more car parking is found within Largs to cope with the decriminalisation.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "The council agreed to develop a proposal for the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) and the introduction of off-street and on-street car parking charges at its budget meeting on 28 February 2018.

“A report is being prepared for Cabinet on these proposals and will be considered in due course.”

Cllr Murdoch said: "If North Ayrshire Council decides to try and impose some kind of payment disc system as they have done in Ayr and Greenock I would totally oppose that.

"These disc systems don't work and neither does metering.

"Whatever system they come up with it has to be the right one for Largs. "One thing that is certain is that we can't stand still and it is a matter of urgency that we get new car parks within the town.

"I think it is important elected members of this ward such as myself are involved, and although it is a matter for cabinet, I think there needs to be a separate group to look at this and come up with the best options."