CONTROVERSIAL proposals to change the way traffic and parking are managed in Luss are going out to consultation

Members of the public have until February 3 to comment on the proposals – which have been heavily criticised by local community representatives.

Argyll and Bute Council’s proposals for the village, which is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor destinations, include a permit scheme for residents, time-limited parking for spaces not occupied by permit holders, and a 20mph zone on the old A82 through the village.

But objectors say the proposals would force residents and visitors to pay for parking in the heart of the village, while making it illegal to park in most other areas, and would put pedestrians’ safety, and villagers’ quality of life, at risk.

Ian MacEachern, the convener of Luss and Arden Community Council, said the council had failed to listen to villagers’ concerns – and predicted that the authority’s proposals would make the situation worse for residents and business owners.

Mr MacEachern said: “Argyll and Bute Council officials have rejected attempts over two years by the local community to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue aimed at making officers aware of the realities and extent of parking and traffic management problems in Luss.

“The consequences of their failure to listen and appreciate the problems faced by Luss is the imposition of a restricted and inadequate solution on village residents and businesses which if anything is likely to worsen things.”

David Pretswell, who is also a member of the community council, said villagers wanted to see tourists’ cars removed entirely from the heart of the village for the safety of residents and visitors on foot.

Mr Pretswell said: “So bad are the council proposals that, in conjunction with Luss Estates Company, we have had an independent traffic consultant review the problem.

“Astonishingly, when the resulting alternative plan was presented to council officials, it was utterly disregarded.

“We have lost all faith in the council to listen to local views, and consider their current efforts to be wholly inappropriate.”

The community council – which has rejected the local authority’s plans – has put forward an alternative proposal, which it calls “innovative and sustainable”, which would include a larger 20mph zone, providing extra parking on the fringes of the village, banning visitors’ cars from the heart of the village, free parking for residents, and new street layouts to enforce its plans.

They also have the backing of constituency MSP Jackie Baillie and

list MSP Maurice Corry, who additionally represents the village as a councillor

for Lomond North.

Community representatives presented a petition to Argyll and Bute Council in September, protesting against the authority’s traffic management proposals for the village.

Councillor Ellen Morton, Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for roads and amenity services, said the authority could not restrict access over public roads to residents only.

Councillor Morton told the Advertiser: “Our proposals protect parking for residents in the centre of the village by way of a permit scheme.

We cannot restrict access over the public road to residents only. The public are free to exercise their right of access unobstructed unless the road is stopped up or delisted.”