THE ongoing saga with the car park closure in Stevenston will be brought to North Ayrshire Council next week.

And a motion from Labour’s John Sweeney looks to put pressure on the owners of the car park.

Europe and Jersey Estates, the owners of the car park, closed it back in February after failing to come to an agreement with the council over repair works and a stalemate has ensued ever since.

The owners maintain that no firm offer has been made but the council are in the process of having the land independently valued in order to place an offer to purchase it for public use.

The motion to council, which will be backed by all three Stevenston councillors, will look to get the car park opened in the interim period by appealing to the owners.

In advance of his motion Cllr Sweeney said: “The closure of the car park has had a detrimental affect on Stevenston. I know this first-hand having visited businesses in New Street on a number of occasions to discuss the impact as well as speaking to my fellow Stevenston residents.

“Stevenston does not have an abundance of car parking and the loss of these spaces has exacerbated the situation.

“I want to acknowledge the campaigning of many in the community on this issue with the number of signatures on petitions demonstrating the real strength of feeling on this issue. On their behalf we must secure a resolution.

“This does not mean letting the landowner off the hook. Their behaviour and unwillingness to properly engage has been disgraceful. That means a range of options must be explored on parking and there must not be a rush to open a cheque book and line the pockets of a private company with public money - particularly when they have shown such disregard for local people and businesses.

“I am confident that the full council will back finding a resolution. Stevenston deserves nothing less.”

A representative for Europe and Jersey Estates told the Herald: “We would like to reaffirm that no proposal has been made for us to consider. The only party who acted in bad faith is North Ayrshire Council in so far that at the time of the construction, which cost £60,000, there was a firm understanding that North Ayrshire Council would take the licence. They did not go ahead with this as envisaged.

“We would restate that we have been trying to resolve the issue since April 2016 and North Ayrshire Council chose not to engage.

“If any residents wish to discuss the issue, they can call us on 01560 329599.”

See next week’s Herald for details from local businesses who have been affected by the closure of the car park.