More than 20,000 parking penalty notices have been handed out across North Ayrshire since decriminalised parking enforcement began, newly released figures show. The data, covering 1 January 2024 to 1 June 2026, also point to clear trouble spots in the county where drivers are repeatedly falling foul of parking rules.
Where the fines are landing
The single busiest car park was the Gallowgate Street seafront car park in Largs, which recorded 1,200 fines — roughly 6 per cent of all notices issued in the area. Chapwell Street car park in Saltcoats was second with 954 penalties.
- Irvine High Street had the highest number of street penalties at 468.
- East Road Car Park (Irvine) recorded 522 fines.
- Other notable sites included Gateside Street (Largs) with 341, and two Kilwinning car parks — Woodwyn (216) and Oxenward (206).
Most common offences and revenue
The most frequent single offence was pavement parking, which accounted for 6,184 notices — more than 30 per cent of the total. Parking beyond bay markings was next with 2,932 notices. Other common breaches included failing to display a valid ticket (2,364) and overstaying time limits (2,375).
| Offence | Notices |
|---|---|
| Pavement parking | 6,184 |
| Parking beyond bay markings | 2,932 |
| Failing to display ticket | 2,364 |
| Overstaying time limit | 2,375 |
| Restricted street hours | 1,757 |
| Disabled bay misuse (total) | 1,927 |
So far, more than 13,500 motorists have paid the reduced penalty of £50, while 4,635 paid the full charge of £100. That adds up to around £1.1 million collected by the council to date.
“The enforcement officers have generally speaking done a good job. You don’t have the situation now of people parking at corners and next to pedestrians,” said North Coast Conservative councillor Tom Marshall.
What this means locally
The figures point to recurring problems that affect everyday life in North Ayrshire. Pavement parking not only breaches regulations but can leave parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and people with visual impairments struggling to get past. Misuse of disabled bays continues to be a concern, with more than a thousand incidents recorded where drivers parked without a valid badge.
For motorists, the data underline where they should be especially careful. If you regularly visit Largs, Saltcoats, Irvine or Kilwinning, take extra care to park within the markings, display tickets correctly and avoid pavements and disabled bays unless authorised.
The prominence of seafront and town-centre car parks in the list of hotspots suggests enforcement is focusing on areas of highest footfall and potential obstruction. The council’s income from penalties will, according to local reporting, have helped cover enforcement costs but also acts as a deterrent to unsafe or inconsiderate parking.
Motorists seeking more information should look to North Ayrshire Council’s parking pages for details on payment, appeals and signage. Local community groups and disability advocates will no doubt continue to press for enforcement that protects pedestrian access as well as road safety.
