Plans to scale back a free parking initiative in Paisley are set to be considered by councillors next week.

Three hours of free parking are currently available at car parks in Orchard Street, Weighhouse Close, Hunter Street upper and lower, Oakshaw and School Wynd, as well as short and long stay facilities at the Lagoon Leisure Centre.

The new proposals would see this being scaled back to one hour's free parking in Paisley town centre, which would apply to council-owned car parks and on street parking.

If approved, the five-year plan would be phased over the next few years from February 2024.

We previously reported how business owners had gathered outside Paisley's Town Hall last month with a petition aimed at saving the 'Free for Three' parking scheme, which was introduced in 2019.

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Councillor Michelle Campbell, convenor of Renfrewshire Council’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board, said the new plans would modernise the council’s approach, tackle issues of concern raised by local communities across the area, as well as help meet the council’s ambitious climate change targets to be net zero by 2030.

She added: "Communities, local businesses and public transport operators across the area have told us about their concerns about the negative impacts car parking can have. 

"We want to balance all their needs and support our town centres to thrive and have vibrant, local communities, where people can access local services and move more easily around the area.

"We are proposing permanent arrangements for retaining one hour’s free parking in Paisley Town Centre in our council car parks as well as extending it to also apply to on street car parking. 

"This is in response to what local businesses have told us."