Councillors have agreed to develop plans for a rail-based park and ride scheme as part of Inverclyde Council's Greenock Town Centre Parking Study.

The car park would be for the use of long stay rail users who will be actively discouraged from parking within the town centre through new short stay parking restrictions.

Vice Convener of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee Council David Wilson said: "We have to strike the right balance between the requirements of people who come into the town centre to shop and socialise and those who work either in the town or further afield.

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"Freeing up short stay car parking will encourage shoppers and visitors which can only benefit the local economy and encourage outside investment. But we recognise that we also have to provide for commuters who currently park in the town centre and would no longer be able to do so."

The proposals would see free parking in the Bullring and Cathcart Street car parks for up to three hours and other areas of the town centre would allow short stay parking and provision for loading and unloading.

People living in the outer town area of Greenock would be supplied with parking permits with traffic wardens enforcing on street parking for residents only. Non-residents or those without a permit would need to buy a pay-and-display ticket.

(GK/BMcC)