Even coppers can't find a parking space in Stewarton

Oct 3 2008 by Stef Lach, Kilmarnock Standard

FED-UP shopkeepers desperate to turn the tables on pesky traffic wardens claim to have caught them red handed breaking a string of road rules.

Shopkeepers in Stewarton claim the over-zealous wardens are killing their businesses.

So it came as a huge surprise to one man last week when a traffic cop was picked up by colleagues in a police car which mounted the kerb, waited on a double yellow line AND obstructed a bus stop all in a matter of minutes.

On top of all that, the bold-as-brass bobbies were parked on the wrong side of Lainshaw Street – which is so narrow that cars are only permitted to park on one side, the opposite side to where the police car was spotted.

The quick-thinking shop owner, who asked not to be named, grabbed his mobile phone and snapped a picture, shown above right, of the multiple ‘crimes’ being committed by the yellow peril.

The man said: “They have flouted their own rules and it’s clear they do whatever they like when it suits them.

“They are obviously not the most popular of people in most places, but particularly here in Stewarton where their actions are hitting businesses hard.

“They are only doing their jobs and we understand that, but they have really enforced the law much more vigorously since the council took away our main car park and made the parking situation even more chaotic.”

Stewarton lost at least 60 spaces behind Institute Hall when construction began on the new community centre last year.

The centre has since been completed, with only a small 27-berth car park attached to it.

There are some limited waiting areas in Avenue Square, High Street, Main Street and Lainshaw Street, but waiting is restricted to 60 minutes with no return within 60 minutes.

The restrictions apply Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

Earlier this year, East Ayrshire Council announced that £60,000 had been set aside to build a new car park in the town, but so far there has been no sign of that happening.

The shopkeeper added: “There is a one-hour restriction on parking in every bay in Stewarton.

“It never used to be enforced but now the wardens are enforcing it very strongly.

“There are some businesses that need their customers to be in their premises for over an hour, such as a cafe, and it’s impossible for them now.

“It’s just a complete farce altogether and we feel like we’re getting nowhere.

“We’ve told the councillors but they don’t live here so they just don’t seem to care.”

The council said they are still awaiting the results of ‘parking surveys’ to decide how to deal with the issue.

John Bryson, the council’s roads chief, said: “Following concerns raised regarding the parking provision in Stewarton by retailers, the community council, members of the public and councillors, parking surveys were commissioned to establish the up-to-date parking demand and to assist in the development of a future strategy for the management of parking.

“The surveys have now been completed and the council is awaiting the finalised report.

“It was felt prudent to allocate £60,000 during the council’s budget setting process for parking facilities in Stewarton to enable a scheme to be brought forward during 2008/09.

“The council will consider the options for such facilities once the parking report has been received from the consultants.”