Over 2,000 fines issued since decriminalised parking came into force in North Ayrshire

More than 2000 fines have been issued since the introduction of decriminalised parking in North Ayrshire at the end of March.

The fines have already brought in a whopping £85,750 to the local authority coffers.

In all, 2,432 penalties have come into force, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

None have been referred to sheriffs for debt recovery.

Some 1565 people paid early at the £50 rate, while 75 paid at £100.

The types of charges were an estimated 541 for out of bay, 524 for no waiting areas, 401 for parking on a pavement, 236 for parking longer than permitted, 135 for parking on a loading bay during restricted hours and 119 for parking in a disabled bay without a valid badge.

The top area for parking abuse was the Chapelwell Street car park in Saltcoats, while Largs was the worst offending town overall.

Chapelwell Street saw an estimated 237 drivers committing offences while next highest was the East Road car park in Irvine with 191 and Irvine High Street snared 138 drivers.

The amount of revenue generated by all council operated parking meters during the year 2023/24 were:

Largs Shore Front – £169,660.85

Bellman’s Close, Largs – £8949.56.

Gateside Street car park in Largs saw 108 people caught out and there were 107 drivers in the same town’s Main Street.

Largs was the worst town for offenders with 893 or 37 per cent and Irvine was next with 653 or 27 per cent.

There were 547 or 22 per cent in Saltcoats and 124 drivers in Kilwinning, or five per cent.

Ardrossan saw only 41 motorists caught, or two per cent.