A bulky petition has been lodged over concerns a “danger” street could lead to a fatality.
Angus Council has been asked to improve safety at the Mayfield Terrace shops before someone is hurt.
At least 320 signatures were gathered for a one-way traffic system to be introduced, with the current layout of the road described as “an accident waiting to happen”.
The matter was taken to the Traffic Coordination Group Forum for discussion. It said introducing a one-way system “could have an adverse reaction on traffic behaviour” and the group behind the petition has decided to ask for traffic-calming measures while retaining the two-way street instead.
Resident Lynda McLean said: “It’s almost as if the council are willing to let someone be knocked down, or a child to die, before they will do anything about it.
“They just come flying round here with cars going one way and cars going the other way. A little girl walked out on the road and was pulled back by her dad before she was struck by a car.”
The busy street is used by thousands of shoppers and is close to Arbroath Academy, Hayshead Primary School and Seaton Park.
Mrs McLean handed the petition over to Arbroath Community Council yesterday via its representative, acting chairman Sandy Bates. Mrs McLean, her husband Jim and Mr Bates were joined at the road by local SNP councillors Donald Morrison and Sheena Welsh.
Mr Morrison said: “It’s obvious from looking at the comments on the petition that there’s a great strength of feeling that something needs to be done.
“People do have a fear that if there’s a one-way system then that would lead to people using it as some sort of racetrack, but a couple of well-placed speed bumps would do a lot to allay their fears.”
Mrs Welsh said: “I think there’s a lot of public feeling that there should be something done about the speeds around here.
“A one-way system would concern me, though, as it would allow people to race along at even greater speeds. There might be something that can be done with speed bumps.”
Mr Bates said he echoed Mrs McLean’s thoughts, adding: “All members of the community council are backing this petition to the council.”
Angus Council has not provided an update on any plans to introduce speed mitigation.
However, a spokesman said: “Introducing a one-way system could lead to an increase in traffic speeds with vehicles taking less care as there would be no opposing traffic flows.
“The road layout in Mayfield Terrace was amended as part of the previous environmental improvements in the area and was designed to incorporate traffic calming properties, for example tight bends, short sections of straight road and parking bays taking direct access off Mayfield Terrace.
“If the road were made one-way most of the traffic-calming properties would be lost or would certainly be less effective.”