A LOMOND North councillor says he hopes to use a recent holiday in Devon to show the local authority the way on parking charges after residents took legal action.

Councillor Iain S. Paterson has previously fought, ultimately unsuccessfully, against the introduction of a £9 all-day charge at Arrochar car park – an increase of 800 per cent.

Charges are due to be introduced later this year at other sites across Argyll and Bute, including Duck Bay on the shore of Loch Lomond.

But the community councils on Mull and Iona have recently called in help from Govan Law Centre in Glasgow in their bid to get the tariffs overturned.

READ MORE: Huge rise in parking fee income across Argyll and Bute – while less was spent on roads

Councillor Paterson, who lives in Arrochar, said: “I understand the action taken by Iona Community and Mull Community Councils regarding these parking charges that have been imposed on them by the council.

“As people are aware, I, along with my colleague Lorna Douglas, supported by our SNP group, brought a motion to council opposing the charges that were being implemented last September

“I do not think the council thought out the implications and public disproval that would prevail by imposing these punitive charges on the people of Argyll and Bute, which is now resulting in the actions taken by Mull and Iona Community Councils, which I applaud.

“It is good to see community councils representing the will of the community.

READ MORE: Duck Bay parking fee fury sparks online petition

“I have just come back from Devon, where, in contrast to Argyll and Bute, the parking charges I found fair and reasonable at £5 per day in Woolacombe and £3 per day in Ilfracombe, bearing in mind that there were also first class amenities provided at both these sites.

“I know councils have to raise revenue, and my motion was not against that; what we opposed was the level of charge that was implemented, which was an 800 per cent increase.

“We had proposed a daily rate of £3, which we thought was fair and reasonable and was supported by individuals, organisations and businesses from all over Scotland.

“We are still suffering the effects of these charges that were imposed in Arrochar, which manifest themselves in displacement parking in Succoth.

READ MORE: Car park income in Argyll and Bute £50,000 short of target

“I have had various complaints from residents about this, and the aggravation that the people in Succoth are having to deal with. I have taken these concerns back to the council and am awaiting to see what action is going to be taken in addressing the problem.”

The two island community councils announced the legal action earlier this week, claiming that their communities had not been properly consulted.

Shiona Ruhemann, convener of Iona Community Council, said: “We’re sad, frustrated and stunned to be in this situation. All we want to do is work in partnership with our council to strengthen our remote island communities and economies.”

And Billy McClymont, chair of Mull Community Council, added: “Our island communities are furious that the council has ignored the massive opposition from islanders who know the realities on the ground and know the damage these parking charges will inflict on island residents and businesses.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “The council has been contacted by solicitors acting on behalf of local organisations and is considering the submissions which have been made.”