Locals in the picturesque village of Luss in Loch Lomond are locked in a bitter dispute with council officials over plans to charge for parking in the area.

The village is facing a major congestion problem with increasing numbers of tourists visiting each year and residents have called on Argyll & Bute Council to take action.

However, campaigners claim the proposal to charge villagers and visitors for parking "falls well short" of what is needed to fix the excessive traffic problem caused by the 750,000 visitors who come to Luss every year.

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Luss and Arden Community Council wants to see access to the village restricted to residents and services, with one suggestion being the use of a barrier to keep tourist traffic out, and additional car parking put in place.

Ian MacEachern, convenor of the community council, said: "2016 has been unprecedentedly busy, and we have suffered from dreadful and dangerous traffic congestion in the heart of the village.

"Allied to congestion, villagers and visitors alike suffer from the danger of cars parked on street corners blocking visibility, vehicles driving in the wrong direction in one way streets and boy racers tearing round the village at night.

"It is unrealistic to think that making Luss a Restricted Parking Zone will on its own reduce the appalling traffic congestion."

James Fraser, chairman of Friends of Loch Lomond added: “We have serious reservations about the Argyll & Bute Council proposals, which fall well short of addressing the traffic management and capacity issues in a way that will help ensure Luss continues to thrive as a pleasant place to live, visit or work as well as being the jewel in the crown of Loch Lomond.”

Perched on the banks of Loch Lomond, the conservation village is famed as the tranquil setting of Take the High Road and boasts a population of just 120.

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Its picturesque setting makes it a popular tourist hotspot, ranking in the top ten most popular destinations according to VisitScotland statistics.

The campaigners claim that the council's proposal attracts no support from residents or local business and urgent action is now needed to properly address the congestion problem.

There are fears it could result in a major loss of tourism in the area if appropriate measures are not put in place.

The campaign has attracted the support of local MSPs Jackie Baillie and Maurice Corry who have called on the council to engage further with the local community to come up with a new plan.

They have written jointly to the local authority urging officials to withdraw the current proposal.

Ms Baillie, of Labour, said: "It is absurd that Argyll & Bute Council propose a chargeable resident parking permit scheme in Luss, and I strongly urge the Council to withdraw their parking proposal and engage properly with the community.

"These proposals will not fix the acute problems in Luss, especially when they will not be supported by the constant presence of traffic wardens to enforce them."

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Conservative Mr Corry added: "The Council needs to come up with a better plan that seeks to keep visitors’ cars out of the heart of the village.

"Luss should be a jewel in the Scottish tourism crown, but instead is in grave danger of losing out due to a lack of joined up thinking."

The campaign has also been backed by local company Luss Estates, who claim they have proposed an alternative plan to officials.

Simon Miller, chief executive of the firm, said the plan would see residents continue to have free access to the village, while visitors park close to the village.

He added: "We have offered the land, and to build a car park. It is worth noting here that Luss is a small village and therefore it is a very short distance to walk from this proposed parking site to the heart of the village.

"Unfortunately, the Council do not appear to be open to any suggestions which deviate from their own misjudged proposal.

"Argyll & Bute Council need to recognise that Luss has become a major Scottish tourist destination and provision of sufficient, safe parking is essential to service the village."