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Drivers will be able to enjoy free parking at five spots in Paisley for a further six months after councillors gave the green light to an extension to the Free for Three scheme.

The initiative - which was initially devised by business improvement district Paisley First - has allowed drivers to park for three hours free of charge at car parks in Orchard Street, Weighhouse Close, Hunter Street, Oakshaw and School Wynd for the past six months.

And now members of Renfrewshire Council’s Leadership Board have agreed to extend the pilot scheme for a further six months to allow a calendar year worth of data to be gathered so there can be greater understanding of its impact on the town.

However, during the meeting in the council chambers yesterday, some members expressed disappointment the scheme had not been put in place at all the town centre car parks.

Councillor Eileen McCartin, who represents Paisley Southwest, said: “I am a great supporter of the three-hour process because if you do leave it open all day it does encourage people to leave their car and go somewhere else.

“I am just a bit sad it’s not been moved out to all the car parks in the town centre because there are shops, I think, that could do with it.”

The pilot has led to a dramatic increase in drivers using the car parks, with a 56 per cent rise in transactions recorded during the trial compared with the same period in 2018.

Meanwhile, there has been a four per cent decrease in transactions during the pilot at the council’s non-pilot car parks.

The Paisley Centre multi-storey and The Piazza Centre experienced a drop in numbers of cars, while the Piazza also said footfall remained static.

Cllr John McIntyre, who represents Paisley Northwest, added that he was interested in seeing more evidence of the impact the scheme was having on helping to revive the high street.

The Conservative man added: “I welcome the extension of the trial and I hope it can go on on a more permanent basis.

“I noted we are comparing the effect on footfall and turnover relative to the loss of car parking revenue. We should include the effect on vacancies of shop units. We know town centre retail is in trouble and I think we should use it [the scheme] to try and minimise the decline of town centres.”

While giving the extension the go-ahead, the council has also vowed to address complaints about the lack of clear signage saying car parks were part of the Free for Three initiative.