CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after winning a three year fight against plans to charge £50 for parking.

The traffic regulation order (TRO), which would apply to streets around the Queen Elizabeth University hospital, was proposed in 2014.

The G51 Free Parking Group led the fight against the permits, with Glasgow City Council still weighing up a range of charging options. And an independent reviewer recommended reduced rates - including a £15 permit charge for residents instead of £50.

Following the challenges, the proposal was passed to the Scottish Government but they ruled it was a council matter.

After being brought back to Glasgow at Thursday’s City Administration Committee, a decision has been made to find a new solution to the traffic issues.

Lisa Devlin, chairwoman of Drumoyne community council, said: “I still can’t believe that more than three years of hard work have finally paid off.

“It feels strange that we can move on as we have been fighting this since 2014.”

Plans are now in place to set up an independent commission, chaired by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, including representatives from local groups and the community council.

Miss Devlin said: “Our proposals, including free parking for all residents, are still valid and are at least worth a try.

“It will be about a compromise so we are not expecting to get everything we want, but we will be keeping the public informed with meetings.”

Local representatives spoke in support of the group’s recommendation that the order be scrapped.

SNP Councillor for Govan, Richard Bell, said: “We ran a campaign to abolish the proposal and this is the SNP sticking to that commitment.

“The new TRO will have no charges attached to it and priority number one is a scheme that works well for everyone, even if that is something unique to here.”

While residents are glad to be rid of the TRO, there are some in the area that feel something should have been done sooner, by both the council and the government.

Miss Devlin noted the “significant change in support” felt after the election of councillors Richard Bell and Allan Young in May.

Mr Young of the Scottish Greens said: “It took the Scottish Government almost six months to come back and say it could do nothing to help. Meanwhile, the situation for the local community hasn’t improved one bit.

“Hopefully now we can move forward and, working with the local community, sort out the transport and parking headaches caused by the hospital."