New idea suggested for long stay car park on Largs seafront

A one-hour limit on on-street parking in Main Street will be enforced by North Ayrshire Council in the spring as part of the introduction of 'decriminalised parking enforcement' (DPE) across the local authority.

Members of Largs Community Council (LCC) heard a suggestion that a currently fenced-off part of the seafront on Greenock Road could be converted into a parking area.

Robbie Stevenson made bold suggestion at town meeting for car park (Image: Newsquest)

Strong concerns have been raised by LCC and others over the lack of long-stay car parking options in the town centre under DPE, with independent North Coast councillor Ian Murdoch telling the News in September that the move is a "recipe for disaster".

LCC member Robbie Stevenson, above, made a bold suggestion at the group's January meeting that the grassed area on the seafront, currently closed off to the public due to the reconstruction of the Largs sea wall, could be a suitable area for car parking.

The seafront area in 2022 is currently blocked off due to the reconstruction of Largs sea wall (Image: Google Maps)

Community councillor Frank Alexander warned that Largs was not prepared for the oncoming introduction of DPE, which will see traffic wardens employed by NAC taking over the enforcement of illegal parking.

DPE is due to be launched across North Ayrshire in March.

Mr Alexander said: "We have a major problem looming - and I fear there will be all hell breaking loose in Largs.

"We will have decriminalised parking operating in Largs town centre within a couple of months. I have been taking a look around the town and we have more cars than can actually park in the town.

"I can see a major problem looming. The council are bringing the staff in to provide the wardens but there is no backfill for longer stay parking."

Cllr Murdoch concurred, stating: "That was exactly the point I was making in September.

"We have made no provision for longer stay parking. None whatsoever. I welcome decriminalised parking coming in, but we should have had these support measures in place to ease the pain."

Frank Alexander has warned of problem looming in town centre over lack of backfill parking (Image: North Ayrshire Council)

Mr Alexander asked what had happened to a suggestion made by businessman John Corrigan a few years ago that the putting green at Barrfields be converted into car parking. 

He added: "It is only used for a few months during the year. What is happening with that plan - is that now dead?"

Cllr Murdoch initially said there had been some disagreement between councillors on the way ahead, and pointed out that one or two alternative parking suggestions had been made, but costs had been found to be 'astronomical'.

Mr Stevenston then said: "The huge great big site compound that is there just now for the reconstruction of the sea wall. Is anybody missing that piece of grass? Is anybody visually complaining?

"There is a great big barrier there. Will that be hardcored at the minute? Just leave it hardcored.

"I know that would be controversial as it is seafront grass."

Mr Murdoch said: "It is open aspect and sets a precedent. However, you have got a point, as you already have a natural access point from Aubery. I can see the pros and I can see the cons." 

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "Before the parking enforcement scheme is formally introduced, we will have a soft launch which will see dummy tickets issued to highlight instances of illegal parking and raise awareness of what constitutes an offence.

"We are aiming to have the scheme under way in March 2024 and it will be in operation in every part of North Ayrshire."