A PUBLIC hearing could be held over plans to install traffic calming measures at a Greenock west end speeding hotspot - after three people objected to the move.

A consultation was held last year after Inverclyde Council revealed £70,000 plans to install footway 'build-outs' at corners around Madeira Street, Newton Street and South Street, and speed bumps in Lyle Road.

Build-outs involve extending the footway on one side into the carriageway, which narrows the road.

The aim is to deter speeding and improve visibility for pedestrians.

However, a report to the council’s environment and regeneration committee has revealed that the proposals attracted objections.

These will need to be considered at a hearing before any plans are rubber-stamped.

A special meeting of the committee would also have to be held to decide whether any work should be done.

Councillor Graeme Brooks, who has led a campaign to get traffic calming measures installed, said that despite his support for the plans, it was important to listen to everyone's views.

He said: “This is a hotspot for speeding and I have been leading a campaign to get something done for two years.

"There was an accident recently where I believe speeding was an issue.

“I can’t comment on the objections and if it comes to the special meeting I will take all the evidence on board.

“I will be voting to have a public hearing so we can be democratic.

“It’s a £70,000 project which is being proposed.

"It’s a lot of taxpayers’ money, so we need to make sure we get it right.”

If the committee agrees to hold the public hearing when it meets next week then the council’s head of legal and property services will arrange and announce when it will be held.