Luss tourism: Villagers urge council to control traffic

"Residents can't leave their home on a sunny summer day, emergency services can't get in."

People living in a picturesque village on the banks of Loch Lomond are calling for action on tourist traffic.

Some of the 120 residents of Luss are threatening to block roads unless the council imposes traffic restrictions.

Locals have already taken direct action by erecting five large signs asking motorists not to drive or park in the village.

Argyll and Bute Council said it was working with the villagers to find a solution.

Villagers have taken traffic matters into their own hands.

The council already operates a pay and display car park near the village, but campaigners say more needs to be done to cater for tourists.

The village reportedly attracts 750,000 visitors a year - more than Edinburgh Zoo, Stirling Castle or the Falkirk Wheel.

The picturesque village attracts large numbers of visitors

Luss and Arden Community Council has discussed a range of measures with the local authority, including a ban on tourists driving in the village itself and attempts to force them to leave their vehicles at an as-yet-unbuilt car park in a nearby field.

However, community council members say these have not been implemented and are appealing to the Scottish government to intervene.

What do villagers say?

Jacqui Bissett has lived in Luss for nearly 30 years

Luss resident of 30 years, Jacqui Bissett says she has been met with some hostility when confronting tourists about their parking.

The 56-year-old said: "Cars are coming into the village and parking opposite to where my car is parked, which is stopping ambulances and fire engines from coming down the village.

"When I've spoken to people when I've seen them doing it, I say, 'is that acceptable where you've parked'? And, to put it politely, they tell me to 'eff off' a lot of the time, which I think is just despicable."

Valerie Jones says it can be a struggle to get in and out of the village

Valerie Jones, 38, who has lived in the village for 11 years, said: "Everybody that comes into the village wants to naturally see what we've got, but they park right down the main drive of the village and block up the roads and then we struggle to get in and out of the village."

Simon Miller says the council has "failed to act".

Simon Miller from local landowner Luss Estates said: "In the communities view it's completely unacceptable. The village is going to go through another season of traffic crisis and chaos."

Luss Estates is offering to build a 240-space car park to help alleviate traffic in the village.

"The car park is in planning with the National Park Authority, but we can't build it until the council have implemented the package of proposals that has been put to them," said Mr Miller.

Among the proposals are traffic calming measures, banning tourists from driving in the village, and better signage.

Mr Miller said: "Last summer, my understanding was that the council accepted the community's proposal and said they would implement them for 2020 and they've failed to act."

What do visitors say?

The BBC spoke to day-trippers to get their view on the village.

One visitor suggested that tourists were inclined to park on the streets because of high parking prices.

He said: "It's quite a small village and they've got to have access at all times for emergency vehicles and so forth. But I think the parking facilities that are laid on for the tourists, they should be a bit less pricey."

Council convener Dave Pretswell said: "Residents can't leave their homes on a sunny summer day, emergency services can't get in, deliveries to residents can't get in and residents are frequently subject to abuse in trying to stop the worst of the parking chaos."

Luss resident Alison Walker added: "We feel the time has come to take matters into our own hands; Holyrood talks endlessly about the importance of tourism to the Scottish economy and it's time ministers stepped in to take control."

'Differing views'

The Scottish government said it had invested £281,000 on measures to alleviate pressures - but that said that traffic management was a matter for the local authority.

A spokesman said: "While tourism is of vital importance to Scotland's economy, it must also meet the needs of local communities.

"We understand our partners at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority are aiming to help implement an agreed solution as soon as possible."

A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said: "There are many differing views on what would be a good solution for Luss and we have been working with the community to find one that is acceptable.

"We have supported the development of another car park by Luss Estates and encourage them to bring this proposal forward.

"The council is currently reviewing how it engages with our local communities on traffic regulation orders, and more widely. We look forward to finding a solution that serves the interests of Luss."