PLANS to restrict waiting times for motorists in two busy Helensburgh town centre streets have been scrapped.

Argyll and Bute Council officials said that the introduction of a 60-minute waiting time in James Street and John Street, between West Clyde Street and West Princes Street, should not be progressed after 15 people complained about the proposal.

But the prospect of motorists being hit with a parking ticket in the two streets hasn't completely gone away: a report to Helensburgh and Lomond councillors last week states that parking bays and signs in both streets should be marked correctly, and any vehicle parked outside a marked bay “may be subject to penalty charge notices”.

The officials' recommendation was approved by the council's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee last week.

Objectors to the council's proposals said the plans were unreasonable, unnecessary and could increase safety risks to motorists, pedestrians and particularly elderly residents in the area.

Councillors also agreed to approve a 'no waiting at any time' restriction at the junction of West Montrose Street and Sinclair Street.

Lyndis Davidson, network and standards manager with the council's roads department, told the area committee: "The objections to the John Street and James Street proposals say they are residential streets and that residents would not be able to park outside their own homes.

"With John Street in particular we haven't 'signed and lined' the street so we can't enforce any parking rules."

Committee chair Ellen Morton said: "There is no point in doing this unless lines marking the parking layout are done and done properly. Otherwise we're just wasting time discussing something that can't be enforced."

But Ms Davidson said that street lining work and the erection of new signs was unlikely to take place in either street before the start of the new financial year in April.

The report to the area committee, by traffic and development manager Stuart Watson, stated: “John Street and James Street are both within the Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) but are not limited to 60 minute stay.

“Within the RPZ it is a requirement to park within a marked and signed bay, however, whether or not the draft TRO is progressed, both section of James Street and John Street would benefit from clearer signs and lines.

“John Street in particular will require old restriction road markings to be removed.”

Traffic lights were installed at the West Montrose Street/Sinclair Street junction, outside the Victoria Halls, earlier this year as part of the regeneration of nearby Hermitage Park.