FED-UP commuters claim they have to compete with cops and civilian staff attending the Scottish Crime Campus - for parking spaces.

Those using the park and ride at Gartcosh Train Station say they are unable to find parking spaces because they have been taken up by staff working at the Police Scotland facility, which opened in 2013.

It is claimed that the staff, who also work for other law enforcement agencies, are not using the rail services but are accessing the free parking bays. The roads surrounding the Scottish Crime Campus including Craignethan Drive and Auld Yards Road are also filled with cars.

The Evening Times understands the issue was due to be discussed again at a community council meeting this week and several residents have spoken to the local councillors about the problem.

Councillor Greg Lennon explained the problem is a historic one for the community, and he and others have written to Police Scotland and the Scottish Government about the issue.

He said: "It is my opinion that there is a reluctance from crime campus officials to seriously look at the issue with only minimum initiatives being launched on their part to address it including car share and cycle to work.

"Until recently the management team was dismissive it was crime campus staff parking in this area until I pointed out that the majority of parked cars displayed Tulliallan stickers on the windscreens."

Councillor Michael McPake added: "I think there are 1,200 people who work in the building but there is only around 600 spaces.

"Every single space in the car park is usually taken and then there is at least an extra 200 vehicles on the road. It is therefore impossible to get a space at the station which defeats the purpose of the park and ride."

Police Scotland said they want to be the best possible neighbour and their representatives regularly meet with the community.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman added: "Since operations started in the building in December 2013, the use has changed significantly and with recent world events, the site receives many more visitors than ever anticipated. This is required for Police Scotland to work with other agencies to keep the people of Scotland safe.

"While there may be a perception in the local community that crime campus staff are using available spaces in the ScotRail car park, our own surveys indicate that on most days there is still parking available."

A Scottish Government spokesperson added: “We are working with stakeholders to investigate and implement solutions to the longstanding parking issues at the Scottish Crime Campus, including those issues related to the park and ride.”

A ScotRail spokesman said: “All of our car parks operate on a first come first served basis and can get very busy during peak periods. We are sorry to our customers for the inconvenience when they are not able to park at the station.”