FIVE proposals have been unveiled as roads bosses try to end traffic chaos on a busy Gourock route.

Inverclyde Council commissioned a 40-page report on how to alleviate problems on narrow Kirn Drive.

Parked cars make it difficult to keep traffic flowing on the busy road, and motorists have been seen in stand-up arguments about who should reverse to let someone pass.

It has become so serious that some residents fears someone could be killed as a result of the hazardous congestion.

Kirn Drive leads to St Ninian’s and Moorfoot primary schools and is a main bus route, but only one lane is passable due to parked cars.

All five options in the report propose that the road should be made one-way, but with different impacts on surrounding roads.

Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld, who has led a campaign to get something done about the bottlenecks, said a Gourock Community Council meeting to hear about the report was well attended, and members of the public expressed their own opinions on the proposals.

He said:  “Robert Graham, the roads boss, attended and advised everyone that this was a draft document and would be subject to extensive consultation.

“Copies are being prepared for the Gourock Library, and will be posted on the Community Council Facebook page.”

The favoured option is number one, which would send traffic westbound between Arran Road and Divert Road.

Parking for residents would be retained on the north side of Kirn Drive, as at present, and eastbound traffic would use Divert Road, Tower Drive and Arran Road or Drumshantie Road.

Option two would see traffic going westbound between Drumshantie Road and Divert Road, while Staffa Street would be one-way northbound for its full length.

Much of the existing Kirn Drive parking provision would be retained, if possible.

Option three takes traffic eastbound between Drumshantie and Divert, and Staffa St would be one-way southbound for its full length.

Westbound traffic would use Drumshantie, Tower Drive and Divert.
Parking for residents would be retained on the north side of Kirn Drive.

Option four again sends traffic westbound between Drumshantie and Divert, but Staffa St would still be two-way and Divert would be one-way northbound for its full length.

Again, much of the parking on Kirn Drive would be kept, if possible.

And, finally, option five suggests traffic flowing westbound between Drumshantie and Divert.

It would also mean Divert Road being one-way northbound for its full length and Tower Drive one-way eastbound between Divert and Drumshantie.

In addition, Drumsthantie would be one-way southbound between Tower Drive and Kirn Drive, while Staffa Street would become one-way northbound for its full length.

Each scenario has implications for public transport in the area, with a number of bus services running through it at present.

Councillor Ahlfeld added: “This is the most detailed and comprehensive study I have ever seen. There must be a full and comprehensive public consultation before any plans can be implemented, but this is an excellent start.”