Speed humps are to go down on Montrose beach boulevard after councillors negotiated their way to giving the project the green light.
Angus Council had gone to consultation on the plan to slow traffic down after a survey revealed traffic flows of around 900 vehicles a days and drivers regularly breaking the speed limit.
However, just six people responded to the public survey and the low feedback led to a split among local councillors over the merit of the £9,500 move.
Communities vice-convener, Independent Tommy Stewart said: “I’d propose full width humps, they are in my view the most effective means of traffic calming.”
Montrose SNP member Bill Duff: “We’ve done a survey and have four responses from residents, which is 17%, and two other responses.”
Officers reported three resident in favour of the humps, with one against.
Montrose Community Council also said it was in favour of further traffic calming measures around the area.
Mr Duff added: “I’m very dubious about doing anything on the basis of six responses from a Montrose population of around 14,000.
“I’m very keen on road safety, but our decisions have to be taken on data.
“We’ve got a couple of chicanes to slow traffic down so quite a lot of engineering is already in place. I really don’t think there’s any more basis for further expenditure.
“I think the say so of six people is a totally inadequate basis to make a decision on.
“It’s a solution to a non-existent problem.”
Committee convener and Montrose Independent Mark Salmond said: “I hear what you are saying, but it is dangerous to set a precedent to always use data and ignore local knowledge.”
Councillors voted nine to five in favour of the full width speed humps on Traill Drive.
The authority is also to go to a further consultation on the possibility of additional traffic calming and the possibility of an extension of the 20mph limit westwards towards Whinfield Road and Faulds Road in the vicinity of the Royal Montrose and Caledonia Golf Clubs.
Mr Stewart added: “Since this proposal came up I’ve also been consulted on pedestrian safety there, which is a busy area, particularly with golfers.”
A July speed survey recorded an average speed of 20.1mph and 85% of vehicles travelling at 25.8mph.
