TRADERS in Alva are asking council candidates to help keep them in business, if elected next month.

Concerns over empty shops and falling footfall is only increasing, with more people opting to shop at supermarkets further afield.

However, parking remains an issue in the town, with few spaces for passing motorists to stop off and make use of the high street shops.

And with wide pavements on West Stirling Street, the prospect of placing designated parking bays to help maintain the flow of traffic and allow for better passing trade.

Lynn Cameron, chair of Alva Community Council, said: “One major issue is the state of the high street – there are so many shops lying empty and still have the Alva Glen Hotel site looking the way it does.

“It’s an issue that comes up frequently at meetings, especially with the difficulties people have parking.

“There are so many good shops and businesses in the town, but there’s not always places to stop.

“The street has wide pavements, so there could be scope for parking bays to be put in.

“We need something to help business on the main street, because it’s been going on for about nine years now.”

The SNP’s Donald Balsillie told the Advertiser that £650,000 was already set aside by the council for main street improvements in Alva – which will include parking arrangements.

He added: “The issue is that underground sources are a lot closer to the surface, and that might cause some issues with parking spaces. But no doubt there is a real opportunity to enhance the main street and that’s something I am committed to.”

SNP candidate Helen Lewis added: “Parking has always been an issue and I do think there could be ways of creating on-street parking.

“There is big enough pavements, so if it is doable and safe, then I would advocate for that.”

Dave Clark, Labour candidate, says he would hope to have a sit down meeting with shop owners within weeks of taking office.

He said: “I see no problem in creating parking on the south side of the street and that’s something I would be happy to lead.

“Within a month of being elected, I would like to have met with shop owners and have something up and running already. But it will form part of a general smarting up of the high street.”

Labour colleague Bobby McGill added: “There is the potential for parking bays; it seems a simplistic thing to do, but we’d need to check it with officers.

“It all goes with the general redevelopment of the high street there. We’ve got to look at ways of improving the area.”

Meanwhile, SNP candidate Archie Drummond called on locals to think about their own parking behaviour.

He said: “There are a number of parking areas in Alva, but some people just want to park on the pavement in the town centre all day.

“We need to encourage people to make better use of the facilities that are already there. Maybe some extra signage would be useful and that’s something we can do.

“And if people only used the pavement for short-term use, then I’m sure there would be space for passing motorists to park up and pop into the shops.”

Conservative candidate Martha Benny said: “Parking is a problem in Alva – it’s difficult for people driving past to simply stop and nip into one of the shops they are passing.

“And it’s these little shops that make the difference in the town. “I can say the conservatives will be putting forth an argument for lessening the pavements and putting in parking bays.

“This would have the benefit of allowing people to stop where they need to and give businesses more passing trade.”