Parts of Peterhead town centre could be re-opened to traffic as part of a two-year pilot scheme.
Aberdeenshire Council is considering scrapping controversial pedestrian zones in Chapel Street and a section of Marischal Street.
The local authority has agreed to look at re-introducing vehicles to the area after a residents’ survey last year revealed more than half (55%) were in favour of the move.
Most of the town centre was closed to general traffic as part of a major regeneration project more than a decade ago.
Next week, members of the Buchan area committee will be asked to approve the two-year trial.
In a report to councillors, infrastructure services director Stephen Archer says that, if approved, £110,000 would be ring-fenced to pay for the scheme.
“The current layout of these streets was designed as a pedestrianised zone with no kerb and only a textural difference between the vehicle and pedestrian surfaces,” he says.
“In the interests of pedestrian safety, it will be necessary to provide a physical separation between pedestrians and traffic to prevent incursion onto the footway areas by vehicles.”
Under the plans, a series of granite bollards would be installed to separate the road from the pavement. Traffic would flow in just one direction and a 20mph limit would be put in place to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.
An application would be made to Transport Scotland to have the area designated as a restricted parking zone, in an effort to curb congestion. A variety of new traffic orders would also have to be reviewed.
Month-long negotiations would be held between the council and the Road Haulage Association and other motoring groups, before the public was given the chance to have its say as part of a 21-day consultation.
Local councillors backed a study of town centre traffic management at a meeting last month.
At the moment only buses and emergency vehicles are allowed into Chapel Street and the eastern end of Marischal Street.
Many traders have blamed the pedestrian zone for a downturn in trade.
Earlier this year, businessman Donald Begg said the closure of his family’s shoe shop, Beggs Shoes and Bags, was down to several factors, including a lack of on-street parking.