The issue centres on traffic leaving the early morning ferry, particularly the 7am sailing, which now arrives several minutes before return loading begins.
This has led to vehicles accelerating away from the terminal and “pelting round the corner” near a local house, sometimes into oncoming traffic.
Cumbrae Community Council was told that drivers are also speeding in the other direction as they can see the ferry in and waiting, and a resident voiced concerns that it could lead to a head-on collision.
The resident described the situation as especially dangerous due to drivers travelling at speed in both directions, with some motorists anticipating a clear road after the ferry docks.
They have urged action before a serious incident occurs. The problem is said to be most noticeable with early morning traffic, where drivers may be under time pressure and accustomed to quieter roads.
Calls have been made for improved warnings or traffic calming measures to reduce the risk of a head-on collision.
A member of Millport Police said that there have been heightened road traffic offences on the island, with ten tickets having been issued during the past month.
However, the police also stated that they intended to bring back road traffic officers to the island in order to provide ‘more enforcement’ and get the figure down to ‘zero’.
In relation to the resident’s concerns, the policeman stated he would be giving it attention, but added that he had concerns regarding the manner of driving around the island in general.
Cycling on the island was also highlighted by police, who said that they had concerns regarding some cycling behaviour.
He said: “We have seen it on a regular basis that unfortunately some locals, but mainly visitors, treat Millport as a big cycle path and they leave the highway code and traffic law behind them at Largs.
Concerns raised by police that bike users ‘leave Highway Code at Largs’ when they get on ferry to Cumbrae (Image: NQ)
“I have even seen wee toddlers on training bikes in the middle of the road on some of these corners.
“I think visitors forget it is actually a road and treat it like a path.
“We are looking for local people and commercial visitors in the morning to set the standards of safe driving to visitors, not speeding.
“They should be setting the precedent.”