THERE are further calls for council chiefs to get tougher on people abusing disabled parking bays after thoughtless drivers have been spotted snatching spots in Renfrew.

Councillor Jane Strang said residents had complained to her about motorists taking up the spaces in High Street without having a blue badge and she is concerned more bays may need to be introduced.

But the Renfrew North and Braehead representative has also highlighted to the council that faded markings around the bays could be confusing drivers and has urged staff to get them fixed.

It comes after Paisley Southwest councillor Eileen McCartin garnered support for a motion last week which called for wardens to ramp up enforcement action.

The council has said it will make markings clearer but currently bosses have no concerns over capacity.

Councillor Strang said: “Any abuse of disabled parking bays is completely unacceptable. From the concerns raised with me by residents, it is clear this is becoming a growing issue in the town centre of Renfrew.

 “Ensuring disabled bay markings are clear for all motorists is something that should be easily rectified by Renfrewshire Council. We cannot have blue badge holders unable to park in disabled spaces due to an issue like this.

“It is pleasing the council say they will refresh the markings and I hope this can be carried out as quickly as possible. However, from the correspondence I have received, it is clear there is also demand for more disabled bays across the area.

“It is disappointing the council has rejected these calls and I hope that they can look again at the provision currently available.”

Councillor McCartin told elected members at a meeting that one of her residents – whose wife had motor neurone disease – had been forced to park in a loading bay in Paisley’s New Street due to a non-badge holder taking up the adjacent disabled space.

He was subsequently fined despite having no choice but to park there, with his wife due to attend an appointment nearby.

Officers said during the meeting they will now work with the community to make sure unauthorised drivers are caught if they are in a disabled spot and have vowed to focus on areas of particular concern, such as New Street.

Elected members have also called for improved advertisement of free car parking that’s available in town centres.

A council spokesman said: “Our roads team are relining the disabled parking bays on Renfrew High Street and Charles Avenue car park to ensure they are marked appropriately.

“At this time, we believe there is sufficient provision of disabled spaces at this location, but we will continue to monitor the area to ensure drivers with a disability can park safely and close to their destination.”