Able-bodied drivers parking in disabled spaces, cars parked on double yellow lines and close to street corners top the list of concerns from members of Kirkintilloch and District Seniors' Forum.

Forum members say Townhead and Cowgate are the worst areas for parking problems.

A spokesperson said: "Parking is a major issue for senior citizens, especially in the town centre.

"Unless you are older, immobile or disabled it can be difficult to understand how annoying this can be.

"There is a real lack of consideration and we would like to see parking restrictions better enforced."

One angry resident told the Herald: "There are not enough parking space outside the new post office.

"There are only two disabled bays and they are often used by able-bodied drivers. This is a major issue."

Parking and loading restrictions on Cowgate and in Townhead are also causing concern.

A spokesperson for East Dunbartonshire Council says illegal parking in these areas is an issue for the police.

She added: "We rely on the goodwill and moral conscience of able-bodied drivers not to use bays that are clearly marked for people with mobility difficulties, but sadly not everyone has the same standards.

"The disabled bay at William Patrick Library is not mandatory so neither the police nor the council has any power to deal with offenders."

She added: "Unfortunately, there is always likely to be pressure on parking in the town centre.

"A recent parking survey has looked at issues such as disabled parking places, their use and misuse, and how this can be monitored or enforced in future.

"Proposed measures will require to be approved by council and then subjected to the required legislative processes before implementation."
A spokesperson for Strathclyde Police said the issue of illegal parking in the town centre would be monitored.

Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP David Whitton recently launched a campaign to highlight the misuse of disabled parking bays.

He said: "These spaces are not a luxury. These bays are designed for disabled people to use and able bodied persons should not be using them."