Residents in a Ross-shire village are debating whether a one-way system around the centre of the community would boost safety more by running clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Strathpeffer Community Council has come out in favour of an anti-clockwise direction for the system around the village square.
Ron McAulay, chairman of the group, says they prefer that option because the road is wider where it rejoins the golf course road.
“It’s safer and better for cyclists,” Mr McAulay said.
“At the other end, the restricted view makes joining the main road more dangerous.”
But members recognise that others might not feel the same.
Resident Steve Dovey says it’s natural to most people to follow a clockwise route, especially in a right hand drive car.
Mr Dovey maintains that more than 50% of people going into the square go around clockwise, whichever direction they arrive from.
He said: “If you go into the golf course road and then turn right into the square, you are on the left hand side of the road so you can easily see traffic coming down the road as you turn across.
“If you’re going the other way, coming out of the square into the golf course road, you can’t see round the corner, so clockwise is safer from that point of view.
“If you look at the other end of the square, when you’re turning in from the Dingwall direction, there are parking spaces right beside the entrance.
“I’ve yet to see a car reverse in, they always go front end first, so when they reverse out they’re going to be reversing into traffic trying to turn in from the main road – which is inherently dangerous and made worse if you make the direction anti-clockwise.
“Also, cars tend to park at an angle in the square, ready to go out clockwise, and this won’t now be possible.”
The one-way system is not in place yet, although permission for it was granted amid a range of applications to the council for improvements to the square.
Mr McAulay said: “The one-way system can’t be installed until the council processes a traffic order, which could be a long drawn out process given the Covid 19 restrictions.”
He expects there will be the chance for more people to offer their thoughts during an upcoming consulation period.
