Critics of a scheme to install paths on Arbroath’s town centre dual carriageway say it will hamper emergency services.
Arbroath residents are getting the inside track on the £13 million plan to install cycle and pedestrian routes.
Supporters say the scheme will “reunite” both sides of the town divided by the dual carriageway and improve access for walkers and pedestrians.
Detractors argue there is no demand for the paths and they will delay emergency services, including lifeboat crews, from helping those in need.
Critics have also hit out at the £5.4m contribution the cash-strapped local authority will have to make .
Alex Smith, Arbroath RNLI operations manager, said he is opposed to the changes on the grounds of cost and public safety.
He said: “It is important that the people of Arbroath attend this meeting – whether they are for it or against it.”
He said the construction work would lead to two years of disruption as well as creating delays for crewmen trying to reach the lifeboat station.
“We will find out what people think on Thursday, but everyone I have spoken to seems totally opposed to this plan.”
Angus Council was one of five national winners in a fiercely contested battle for almost £7m of Sustrans Scotland and Transport Scotland Places for Everyone funding.
The council is expected to contribute “significantly less” than £5.4 million of its own money into the scheme.
The final report on the project was published in April last year, promising to “enhance the streetscape” of the A92, increase biodiversity with areas of local planting and create an “attractive and safe place for people to walk and cycle.”
It is hoped the project will increase the number of everyday trips taken by bike by at least 10%.
After winning the Places for Everyone funding, the council published a statement highlighting it was “the first time a town rather than city has achieved such an award.”
“This is the culmination of several years of effort and community input, starting at a community event in 2015 with the identification of the dual carriageway as dividing the town, through the Town Centre Charrette to the Arbroath and Area Locality Plan 2017, the Feasibility Study in 2018 and now the Active Travel Active Town award.”
The team behind the £13 million plan will give a presentation in the town’s Webster Theatre at 6.30pm on Thursday.
