NEW PARKING restrictions at a shorefront car park in Ayr are set to come into force after a decision by council chiefs.

Visitors to Queens Terrace Lane car park will now be limited to three hours of parking between Monday to Friday on a trial basis, although Saturday enforcement could come in the future with a one hour limit.

There was better news for those who park on the Charlotte Street car park after a decision was taken to charge motorists £2 to park all day, with the current restrictions costing between 90p for an hour-and-a-half to £4.40 for six hours.

The decision was made to change the Queens Terrace Lane restrictions in order to bring more revenue from that car park while the idea behind the Charlotte street changes was to help local businesses.

Councillor Bill Grant welcomed the changes but asked for a u-turn after initial plans for the Queens Terrace Lane car park included Saturday restrictions.

He said: "I'm happy with the Charlotte Street car park because it's under used. In terms of Queen's Terrace Lane I'm at a loss why we wish to use Saturdays. I would be fairly satisfied with Monday to Friday.

"We're a tourist town and we do pull big crowds. It's a recreation day for not every family but a lot of families.” Councillor Grant also slammed the signage used to enforce the rules but accepted the level of charges, adding: "The dominance of signage in car parks is threatening rather than welcoming. 'Don't leave your car for more than three hours or else'.

"In Glasgow I paid 60p for 12 minutes so it's a bargain coming to Ayr.” Council leader Bill McIntosh responded to Councillor Grant’s plea over Saturday restrictions and agreed that that idea should be scrapped in the short term. He said: "I think it's worth considering. It does need to be reviewed.

"I'm keen to get a resolution on this. Can we not just start it on a trial Monday to Friday?” And Lesley Bloomer, Executive Director of Economy, Neighbourhood and Environment for South Ayrshire Council, replied: “We can do that. We'll trial on Monday to Friday and consult with local businesses on how that's going."