Johnstone Business Consortium (JBC) has held a public meeting over proposed parking charges that could be introduced in Johnstone.
Last week, Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board passed measures to introduce parking charges at Council owned street parking bays, as well as car parks.
These new measures also include Renfrew who do not currently have any paid parking facilities in place.
Business owners who attended the meeting yesterday at Johnstone Town Hall, along with local residents, unanimously voted ageist the new measures. It was agreed that JBC would launch a petition which will be handed out to local businesses, as well as an online version.
The Council claim the idea behind the review is to help attract more shoppers and visitors to the three towns and increase the turnover of parking spaces.
Johnstone Business Consortium, as well as the Johnstone Community Council believe that it will harm the town by driving shoppers away.
Some residents at the meeting complained that there is a problem with parking around the town hall. They claimed that Council workers from the town hall, who are not supposed to use the town hall car park, are blocking residents driveways by parking in the street.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The proposals to alter the car parking arrangements in Renfrewshire were approved at the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board on 8th November.
“This included widening out of charges for Council owned on and off street parking to include Renfrew and Johnstone.
“As part of the implementation process it was agree an impact assessment will be carried out.
“Through the modernisation of parking facilities, including enabling parking meters to accept cash, card or contactless payment, and generating a turnover of short stay parking spaces we will encourage more visitors into our town centres and provide a boost to the local economy.”