PLANS to provide a long-term solution to traffic and parking issues in West Kilbride are set to go before councillors.

Local residents have already given the proposals overwhelming support following a public consultation exercise earlier this year.

The new plans, if approved, will trigger the start of the formal process to introduce a one-way traffic management system on certain roads within the village.

The proposals also suggest on-street parking on some streets – giving drivers better access to local shops – as well as re-routing some bus routes which is expected to ease traffic on Main Street, Ritchie Street and Portencross Road.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “This has been a comprehensive process and I believe we have now reached the best possible solution which should give peace of mind to local residents.

“We have taken on board their views and we are delighted that the overwhelming majority of people are happy with the proposals.

“Now we hope that, if approved, we can see the plans move forward as soon as possible.”

The traffic blueprint proposes that a one-way system is introduced in West Kilbride. This is seen as the best solution to address issues relating to the safe movement of traffic along Main Street and Ritchie Street.

The plans will also see the provision of legal on-street parking adjacent to many of the shops along these streets.

Meanwhile, discussions with the Stagecoach Bus Company have resulted in significant improvements to the routes that bus services will take through the village. In addition, given the proposed change to bus routing, it is considered appropriate to remove an earlier proposal to make Hunterston Road one-way over part of its length and retain its operation as a two-way road.

The plans were unveiled to local residents earlier this year during a public consultation exercise and received significant support with 81 per cent of people indicating that they were in favour of introducing a one-way system.

A total of 14 per cent were not in favour, and 5 per cent said that they did not know.

A separate public meeting organised in October by one of the local elected members and a ballot of those attending also indicated a strong level of support for the one-way proposals, with 100 people in favour and 33 against.

If the Traffic Management Plan is approved by the cabinet, the council will seek to promote and implement a Traffic Regulation Order to allow the scheme to progress.