A GOUROCK senior citizen looks set to win his long campaign for a one way system on his gridlocked street.

Retired marine engineer Bill Oliver, who has lived in Kirn Drive for 50 years, became so fed up with the traffic chaos on the busy road that he launched a petition about it in 2020.

It called for action from the roads department to alleviate congestion on the street, which is on the route for St Ninian's and Moorfoot primary schools.

The Kirn Drive resident won the backing of residents as he collected around 100 signatures from neighbours to take his demands to the council's petition committee.

Now, four years later, councillors are finally being asked to back a public consultation and for design plans to be drawn up, along with a traffic regulation order.

The proposed £250k programme would also cover Staffa Street and Mr Oliver says it comes not a moment too soon.

Long time resident Bill said: "It is ridiculous in Kirn Drive after 6pm at night when all the cars are parked. People cannot pass one another on the road and there is nowhere to pull in.

"It's utter chaos.

"I got fed up going out at night to calm down situations and sort it out. There would be horns peeping and people getting irate with one another.

"That is not to be mention the damage to the parked cars when drivers had nowhere to go.

"I contacted Ronnie Ahlfeld on the council at first and then Lynne Quinn came on board to help.

"The road is just far too busy. But a one way system will make all the difference. It is a simple solution. The quicker the work can be carried out the better."

Back in March 2020 the petitions committee, in what turned out to be the last meeting before the Covid pandemic, ordered a report from consultants about options for managing traffic on Kirn Drive.

It determined that the road could be made one-way westbound between Arran Road and Divert Road, as well as Staffa Street southbound between Ivy Crescent and Kingsway East, without any significant adverse impact.

Now the environment and regeneration committee will be asked to go ahead with a public consultation. Traffic calming measures are also proposed to slow drivers down.

Independent councillor Lynne Quinn says she is delighted that Bill's campaign is paying off.

She said: "I want to thank Bill for all the hard work he has put in. It has taken a long time because of delays during the pandemic. But we are glad we are where we are now. This is a really positive move for residents living here.

"Everyone in Gourock is aware of the problems in Kirn Drive, with the heavy traffic because of the schools. It has been a nightmare for the people who live here.

"I think this a really sensible solution. Traffic is a major issue in Gourock. What we want to do is make it safe for both drivers and our pedestrians."