A RADICAL new traffic management system to be trialled in Ardrossan will see the town’s roads become one way – with speed limits reduced to 20mph.

Documents leaked to the Herald reveal plans to increase road safety and cut carbon emissions by up to 50 per cent to meet the Scottish Government’s ambitious targets.

Boffins at the University of Clydeforth’s Department of Traffic Trials and Initiatives (DOTTI) have chosen Ardrossan as the ideal test site that could see the measures being rolled out across Scotland if they are successful.

The experimental system will have road traffic travelling north only along Glasgow Street, east along Parkhouse Road, south on Sorbie Road and South Beach Road, west along South Crescent Road and Princes Street before arriving back at Glasgow Street.

Professor Oli Folpar from DOTTI said: “A one way system with traffic travelling at just 20mph will have enormous benefits in reducing accident numbers and the CO2 associated with climate change.

“Obviously journey times will be increased but we think with a bit of forward planning people will get used to it in no time.

“Pedestrians and cyclists will see the advantages straight away along will elderly residents or those with limited mobility who need that bit of extra time to cross the road.

“Instead of looking right, left and right again they will only have to look right. Or left. That will need some ironing out...

“For example, people leaving Charlie’s Bar to get to the Cheery Cup will have plenty of time to concentrate on what they are going to have in their roll without worrying about speeding traffic.” If given approval, the trial is scheduled to start on April 1 next year