RENFREWSHIRE Council is being urged to reconsider plans for parking charges in Johnstone and Renfrew – and give local councillors the chance to have their say.

The changes are set to be decided at a meeting of the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Board in August but, at present, there are only four members from the two towns on the 15-strong board.

Now local councillors are to submit a motion calling for the controversial plans to be discussed instead at a meeting of the full council in September, where every elected member would have a say.

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, said: “I am against the principle of introducing car parking into Johnstone and what concerns me most right now is that the 5,000 Johnstone residents who petitioned against this idea must be allowed to have all their representatives voting on the final decision, instead of restricting it to policy board members.

“The spirit of the motion passed by the full council was crystal clear – it called for “proper consultation” and, in my book, that means that, rather than the car parking plan going to the board, all councillors from the area can vote.”

Councillor Derek Bibby, who represents the same ward, added: “There continues to be overwhelming opposition to the SNP administration’s proposals to introduce car parking charges in Johnstone. The importance of this issue is such that it is only right that it be discussed by all 43 councillors at a full council meeting, and all elected members be given the opportunity to throw out these proposals and act in the best interests of the people of Johnstone and Renfrewshire as a whole.”

Renfrewshire Council held a public drop-in on the proposals in Johnstone on Monday and will hold another at Renfrew Leisure Centre tomorrow, from 1pm until 8pm.

However, Iain McMillan, secretary of Johnstone Community Council, said he had been disappointed by the lack of fresh information available.

He added: “There wasn’t much to it. We didn’t learn anything we didn’t already know.”

“I think a lot of people who were going along were expecting something more in terms of dialogue and felt a bit deflated by it all.

“However, I would still encourage everyone to write to their local councillors and let them know their thoughts on the proposals.”

Renfrewshire Council said the matter was one to be discussed by councillors at the meeting on Thursday.