Renfrewshire Council has been urged to drive forward a solution that will end the problem of chaotic parking in the streets surrounding Bishopton railway station.
Councillor James MacLaren, who represents the village, has been inundated with complaints about the saga affecting the likes of Poplar Avenue, Station Road and Gledstane Road.
Concerns focus on drivers pulling up on double yellow lines or too close to junctions, lines needing repainted or swept of debris and vehicles parking on both sides of narrow streets and causing serious access issues.
The Conservative politician said: “It’s been an issue for a few years now. As more and more people try to switch to using the train, they’re coming from further away and they arrive by car and need to park somewhere.
“The station car park on the north side is often full, I’m not so sure about the south side but I suspect that gets full as well, so there’s been pressure on parking in Gledstane Road and Poplar Avenue.
“Residents as well haven’t been able to decide in the past which side of the road to park on so you get parking on both sides and it just becomes blocked. There are concerns that deliveries can’t get in, refuse collections can’t take place and problems for emergency vehicles trying to get down the road.
“There are yellow lines at the corner and yellow lines outside the station but they are faded and broken up and have debris on them, so people are parking on them. They need to be repainted.
“Poplar Avenue probably needs a double yellow line on one side of the road. It’s been going on too long. It’s high time that this nut was cracked and a solution found. The solution is obviously yellow lines.”
It’s hoped pressure on the streets will ease with the planned opening of the second phase of the park and ride facility – currently undergoing resurfacing and drainage work – at the end of June.
However, members of the public believe there needs to be greater enforcement in Bishopton, which is home to the growing Dargavel Village development, in a bid to deter problematic parking.
David Woodrow, chair of the community council, said: “I do think the wardens could be here on a more regular basis. They do need to become a bit more proactive in that sense.
“A couple of days ago, there was a car parked at the bottom of Poplar Avenue and it was causing a major issue in the street. I would stress the importance of drivers being mindful of where they park because they can block access for refuse or emergency vehicles.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of recent requests to extend parking controls in the streets leading to Bishopton train station.
“We will be promoting yellow line proposals for public consultation in due course and are working with our parking attendants to step up enforcement of the existing lines in the area. Officers have also checked the existing yellow lines and are arranging any necessary repairs.”
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