A Kinross bus stop is at the heart of a planning row involving the council, local businesses and a group of determined pensioners.
Wide-ranging proposals to overhaul the centre of the town include the removal of the stance outside the former Town Hall.
While that may seem a small thing, the suggestion that it be repositioned at the junction of two of the town’s busiest roads High Street and Swansacre has sparked outrage.
Due to building works at the Town Hall, the bus stop has already been “temporarily” moved to that location.
That has seen businesses raise concerns about the loss of pick-up and drop-off parking; residents raising safety fears; and around 30 pensioners signing a petition to force a rethink.
Residents within the Causeway Court sheltered housing and the surrounding area are finding the walk to the new stop difficult as it is uphill from where they live.
Now, Perth and Kinross Council hopes it may have secured a compromise, with officers investigating a third plan which they believe will meet everyone’s needs.
A spokeswoman said: “Following the receipt of a petition from local people in Kinross, the council has been investigating the possibility of providing a bus stop on Kinross High Street, to the south of the Town Hall and outside the pet shop.
“This is very close to the existing location.
“Reaching it does not involve an uphill walk and avoids the loss of on-street parking in the High Street, which is a major concern of businesses in the town centre.
“This site is therefore considered a suitable solution to the issue.
“The new bus stop will be placed at an area of widened footway to ensure that bus users have easy access to the bus when it stops and that no parking is lost on the High Street.
“A further bus stop will also be installed directly opposite the new bus stop for buses going in the other direction.”
Local mortgage consultant John Dawson submitted the petition to the council on behalf of his 91-year-old mother Kathleen and her fellow residents as he feared the effect the permanent relocation of the stop could have.
“The real issue for me is that this decision could adversely affect a lot of people who are simply not very mobile,” he said.