Council chiefs have taken a step closer to re-introducing traffic into a north-east town centre.
Vehicles could be allowed back into Chapel Street and Marischal Street in Peterhead before the end of the year.
The move, which was backed by local councillors last month, came after a residents’ survey found that more than half (55%) were in favour.
Now Aberdeenshire Council has submitted a planning application to make changes to the street including installing bollards for pedestrian safety and new lighting. A bus stop will also have to be shifted.
Under the plans, traffic would flow in just one direction and a 20mph speed limit would be put in place to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.
Alan Buchan, vice-chairman Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, said he expects councillors to discuss the plans at their meeting next month before traffic is reintroduced as early as November.
“I would be expecting these safety measures to be introduced in November or December and for traffic to be reintroduced to the area,” he said.
In a recent report to councillors, infrastructure services director Stephen Archer says that £110,000 would be ring-fenced to pay for the scheme.
“The 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 on to the footway areas by vehicles.”
The area was closed off to traffic as part of a massive overhaul of the town centre more than a decade ago.
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.