Charles Jarvis of Jarvis Brothers in Castle Street, was responding to a recent "Dispatch" and "Herald" article which highlighted the problems created by illegally parked vehicles on the return to the two-way system in the main thoroughfare, following the completion of improvement works at The Cross.

"I would disagree that there has ever been chaos in Castle Street unless when roadworks are in progress," he comments.

"The photograph with the article showed four cars parked on double yellow lines on the west side of Castle Street, with no other cars going up or down.

"I remember a leading headline in the "Dispatch" some years ago, when the traffic situation was described as gridlock.

"Traffic problems in Castle Street prior to Queenswell Road being constructed were controlled by Charlie Coutts the butcher with his cleaver.

"Since Queenswell Road was laid that effective solution has not been required."

Mr Jarvis goes on to explain that he has lived and worked in Forfar all his life and, like everyone else, has noticed the increase in traffic which has been controlled well by the main Forfar bypass and by a variety of traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and yellow lines, the bulk of which were installed after consultation involving the traffic department, shopkeepers and the public.

"The two large car parks, likewise, allow cars to come to the town with relative ease.

"When the roadworks around the Town and County Hall were being undertaken traffic moved much faster through the town, but it certainly made the crossing much more hazardous.

"Another problem of the one-way traffic was that motorists had to queue at East and West Port traffic lights and, on one occasion, coming out of the Bank of Scotland, I found the traffic at the West Port traffic lights queuing nearly to the Cross.

"Forfar is a busy country town and is blessed with two large car parks. When I drive round Forfar I find that, generally, you cannot drive at 30 mph but getting around is quite easy.

"If there is a traffic jam it would very seldom last more than one or two minutes. I don't call that chaos or gridlock.

"A one-way system would certainly allow traffic to negotiate Castle Street more quickly, only to join the queues at the East and West Port traffic lights.

"If the centre of Forfar is to thrive commercially the fewer the restrictions there are the better.

"To go round the one-way system and come back into Castle Street takes approximately five minutes, which is too long for customers wishing to park close to the shops and who can't get parked first time round.

"When I saw the extent of the island in the middle of Castle Street I felt a sense of trepidation that the street would be narrowed too much and the flow of traffic choked.

"However, now that work has been completed, the system seems to work well and traffic flows as before, with pedestrians able to cross the street more easily."

Mr Jarvis states that the main problem seems to be parking on the double yellow lines, and vehicles parked well over the stipulated time limit in restricted areas.

"But this can surely be controlled by traffic wardens," he adds.

"If people are parking beyond the limited time tickets should be issued. Otherwise, Forfar has been well-planned and does well to welcome shoppers from outside and inside the town. There is no need for more major changes."