A NEW car park close to the banks of Loch Lomond was used for the first time over the public holiday weekend in a bid to finally bring an end to years of parking nightmares.

Built for local land owner Luss Estates by Sunax Construction, the £750,000 facility adds room for 250 cars to the 250 spaces already available in the council-owned car park at the opposite end of the village.

Villagers in Luss have been plagued for years by parked cars blocking up the narrow streets as crowds of visitors flock to the area in summer.

Proposals for an additional car park in the village were first unveiled eight years ago.

Four electric charging points are also being developed on the site, along with temporary toilets – with permanent conveniences to follow at a later date.

Patrick Colquhoun, assistant chief executive at Luss Estates stated: “We are delighted to be opening Luss South Car Park, as well as a beautiful new village green, and a safe and enjoyable play park in the village.

“Our £750,000 total investment will instantly and dramatically improve the quality of life for the residents and visitors.”

Dave Pretswell of Luss and Arden Community Council added: “Our community faces huge challenges from the increasing numbers of visitors who wish to come to Luss and unless visitor cars are excluded from the residential heart of the village, with its narrow streets and Victorian infrastructure, then both the quality of life for residents and the ‘visitor experience’ can only continue to deteriorate.

“This new car park forms an essential part of a wider, community-sponsored traffic management initiative for Luss village which has been in detailed preparation since 2016 and earlier.”