Mr Eric Gray, secretary of the Forfar and Kirriemuir Taxi Operators Association, explained that such a system worked well when it was temporarily introduced during the renovation works to the municipal buildings at the Cross a few years ago.

Mr Gray noted last week's article in the "Dispatch" which focused on the local authority's latest bid to improve visibility and prevent obstructions at junctions in numerous traffic-clogged housing schemes.

And, he said his association would support any method of improving traffic flow in the town.

"A few years ago Forfar Community Council, with the backing of our association along with others, suggested that Castle Street be made one way from Canmore Street to Myre Road, a system which generally worked well during the renovations to the civic buildings at the Cross."

Mr Gray feels that the time has come to revisit such a proposal, in light of the many problems motorists face with illegally parked vehicles in the narrowest part of Castle Street.

And, he said there could be advantages for shops in the area, with a one-way system from Canmore Street to Myre Road allowing for more on-street parking bays where the road narrows.

"One way from Canmore Street to Myre Road would allow for more legal parking bays to be provided as you would only require one lane for moving traffic."

Mr Gray went on to stress that there was a real need for traffic enforcement in other areas of town - such as where the road narrows going east in East High Street, ahead of the junction with Queen Street.

"It just needs a couple of buses or a bus and lorry meeting in that area of the street and the traffic is totally snarled up.

"It also happens quite frequently that lorries parked outside Boots and Irons, alongside poorly parked cars, leaves no room for larger vehicles such as buses to get up the east leg of Castle Street, and this needs to be addressed."

Mr Gray also agreed with last week's comments regarding the problems caused by bin-emptying operations in some of the main streets at high noon on a Friday.

"Is it not possible for bin emptying to be carried out early in the morning or later in the afternoon, instead of when East and West High Streets are at their busiest?"

The problems of taxi drivers negotiating Forfar's busy streets have a knock-on effect for the passengers, under the distance and time charge system.

For example, a normal town fare of around £2.80 to £3 could rise by as much as 40p and more if taxis are caught up in town-centre gridlock.

"The fare goes up 10p every 30 seconds, so a two-minute hold-up adds 40p to the normal fare," explains Mr Gray.

Current and possible future traffic management problems in and around Forfar were discussed in depth at an interim meeting of Forfar Community Council on Monday and will again be the subject of debate when members get round the table for their monthly meeting on Thursday (tomorrow).

But chairman Isobel Ross stressed that joined-up thinking was required to tackle all the issues that have arisen in recent weeks.

On the proposal to close the central reservation at the Forfar bypass Lochlands junction Mrs Ross cautioned against hasty decisions.

Community council members are of the view that the knock-on effect of traffic in Forfar had to be a major consideration when taking any steps to improve safety at the junction, with proposals such as a grade-separated junction and the re-opening of a stretch of the former Forfar-Dundee route having been put forward as possible solutions.

The community council chairman said the interim meeting saw a full and frank discussion on the latest proposal to relieve traffic congestion in various Forfar streets, with members keen to push for strict enforcement of existing traffic orders before any further yellow lines are laid.

"The proposal of a one-way system being introduced along part of Castle Street was brought up and members felt this was something worthy of consideration, given that it worked so well when it was in operation for a spell before.

"However, we need joined-up thinking to address all the traffic management issues and keep the traffic flowing throughout town. Our response to the various proposals being put forward will be made when a full meeting of the community council is held on Thursday evening."