CONTROVERSIAL parking charges for residents living near Glasgow’s newest hospital will be scrapped if the SNP wins control of the council.

The party has announced it will not introduce parking permits for locals living near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan.

It comes ahead of the local government elections in May, which could see the SNP control Glasgow City Council for the first time in history.

Residents received letters from local SNP councillor Stephen Dornan, stating the party’s position on the issue.

Locals previously raised concerns about the proposals, which would see car owners pay £50 for a permit to park outside their houses.

The letters, delivered on Thursday by the SNP councillor, stated: “After listening to the concerns of residents and after discussions with the G51 Parking Group I can confirm that my colleagues and I are 100 per cent committed there will be no parking charges implemented in and around the new hospital.

“At the last meeting of the Drumoyne Community Council I informed them of the aforementioned commitment.

“We will now work with the G51 group and local residents to resolve the parking issues.”

Last year the council called in an independent reviewer to assess their plans, and have now put the proposals on hold.

It said the permits should cost just £15, the visitor permits 60p and the business permits £210 per year.

Govan SNP Councillor Stephen Dornan, who has been working on the problem of parking around the £842 million hospital, said: “No infrastructure was planned for when the new hospital was built and it is wrong that my constituents should pay for the incompetence of the current administration and their lack of vision.

“That is why we are 100 per cent behind the community in resisting charges and can assure residents that an incoming SNP administration will work with local residents and the G51 campaign to reach a solution that benefits the community rather than punishes it.

“The new Community Empowerment Act implemented by the SNP Government will allow our community’s voice to be heard.”