Support for petition against parking charges in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

This opposition is reflected in the fact that a local petition initiated by the party, and presented to Councillor Jean Jones, attracted upwards of 1000 signatures from those against car parking charges in Kilsyth.

Local branch chairperson Willie O’Neill commented: “It is absolutely clear from our campaigning that people do not want to see these parking charges introduced.

“Councillors hid behind the cloak of anonymity to vote for the consultation on these charges but they will not be able to hide from the consequences of these charges which will add further financial pressures to those already struggling and will inevitably be detrimental to our local Main Street shops.”

The petition is just one manifestation of the depth of opposition that is coming from all parts of the district.

Mr O’Neill added: “A noticeable feature of those signing is that many of them come from outside Kilsyth and they have stated that parking charges will discourage them from coming into the town.

“This flies in the face of the council’s claim that charges will encourage people to use local parking facilities as there will be more space in them.

“This petition and the hundreds of individual letters that have also gone highlight the depth of opposition to these proposals and the council would do well to for once listen to what people are telling them and step back from introducing these parking charges.”