Thousands of residents sign petition against town centre parking charges

Kilwinning residents have signed a petition aimed at forcing North Ayrshire Council not to scrap free town centre parking.

One of the proposals from officers in the early budget consultation back in October was to end free parking and in turn help bridge a £16m funding gap.

The move was scuppered two years ago and Kilwinning man Graeme Milliken and representatives from Dino & Sons in the town are hoping another u-turn will be forced.

Some 1100 hand written signatures along with 800 online were gathered over two months and campaigners handed the petition into council HQ on Monday.

Graeme said: “The proposals are not only unfair but we feel that they are unjustifiable.

“We are not against decriminalised parking as that is fair enough.

“But if a woman who came into the shops for a bit of broccoli which cost just 69p she would be charged £2 for using the car park. That is a lot for people to have to pay for a trip into town.

“The council wanted wardens to come into the town centre and we did not have a problem with that. The likes of meters would have to be installed to monitor how long people were parking under what they are proposing.

“They are now trying to monetise car parking and use it against the people.

“We are hopeful we can win our fight and we have spoken to councillors across North Ayrshire and some who supported us last time say they will again but others have given answers which are as clear as mud.

“I mean the council spent more than £14,000 on biscuits. Staff will be paid well enough so why can’t they put their hands in their own pockets and supply their own biscuits.

“I feel they should look closer to home and find some money within their organisation and leave local businesses to focus on their own affairs before they start penalising hard-working people.

“The shops are small in Kilwinning but they are all quite unique and have a good following.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “For next year, we anticipate a significant budget gap which will requires us to make a number of savings. Unfortunately, that means there will be difficult choices ahead.

“However, it is important to stress that no decisions have yet been taken on any potential savings.

“We are currently analysing feedback we received during our recent engagement with communities and this will help inform councillors when they meet to set the budget in February 2025.”

The petition is expected to be considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, January 23.

North Ayrshire Council will meet to set its budget for the financial year 2025/26 on Wednesday, February 26.