PLANS for a new pedestrian crossing outside the Co-op in Rosneath could be approved by local councillors next week.

As well as the zebra crossing, the authority is also proposing to install bollards to stop cars parking on the pavement outside the store.

The plans will be up for discussion at the December meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, at the Victoria Halls in Helensburgh on Tuesday, December 13.

Local councillor and Rosneath resident Robert G. MacIntyre, who is also the authority’s depute policy lead for roads and amenity services, said: “Argyll and Bute Council is committed to ensuring the safety of all those who use our road network; drivers and pedestrians alike.

“This will make it easier and safer for people to cross the road. It will also reduce the speed of traffic going through the village – something which is obviously to be welcomed.

“With similar pedestrian crossing points in Kilcreggan and Garelochhead, it’s only right and proper now with the new Co-op and pavement built, and the old community building demolished, we look to move forward with plans for a formal crossing point.

“There are certain criteria we consider when thinking about a pedestrian crossings, including local needs. There are clear local needs in Rosneath – the B833 splits the village in half, with the area outside the Co-op being the main crossing point for local children to walk to and from school and for elderly and high school pupils to cross to the bus stop.

“If this goes ahead it will be good news for Rosneath and another exciting development in the local footway network following last month’s news of funding to develop plans for a path between the caravan park and the village.”

With bollards, the crossing itself, the installation of a high-friction surface on the approaches and the power supply for the lighting, the improvements will cost about £20,000, paid for from the council’s roads maintenance budget for Helensburgh and Lomond.

Local councillors first called for a crossing at the junction in 2010, but the project was deferred until the completion of the new Co-op convenience store at the junction of the B833 and Clachan/Ferry Road.

Following the store’s opening in May, the proposal was discussed in depth at the area committee’s meeting in June, though some councillors questioned the value of a crossing at a location where there have been no reports of accidents in the past.