Angus Council's roads department had planned to impose new parking restrictions on the northbound carriageway of the street after former councillor Kathleen Ritchie passed on concerns raised by Hillside Community Council about the speed of traffic and lack of visibility in the area.

Central to the controversy was a camper van parked on Main Road, which some residents said made the road unsafe.

But the proposal was defeated by a majority vote at last week's meeting of the infrastructure services committee after Montrose councillor David May moved to reject it, saying that the residents of the street would suffer the most from new double-yellow lines.

Residents were up in arms over the council's plan, saying that such a move would actually reduce visibility, compromise the road's safety and leave them having to park their cars on the opposite side of the carriageway.

Hillside Community Council also objected to the plan, who were angered by the fact that notice of the council's intention to paint new double-yellows was mistakenly sent to Montrose Community Council.

A site meeting was arranged by the council to discuss the proposal with residents, councillors, the police and the community council, but the objectors stayed firm in their belief that such a move would make the road dangerous and inconvenient.

In his report to Angus Council's infrastructure services committee, corporate services director Colin McMahon said new parking restrictions would create new overtaking spaces, calm traffic speeds and improve pedestrian safety, but acknowledged that residents were against the proposal.

He said: "Having considered all matters raised, the representative from the roads division indicated that, with the approval of Tayside Police, it was intended to recommend that the council proceed with the proposals as drafted.

"Having taken into consideration the views expressed by those objecting to the proposals in respect of the Hillside, Montrose location, the head of roads considers that the terms of the draft order are reasonable and appropriate and that the council should simply note the objections lodged and proceed with the order as originally drafted, without modification."

David May, who is also convener of the infrastructure services committee, said he was pleased no new restrictions would be imposed in Hillside.

He said: ""I didn't see any benefit in the lines going down. I could see the argument, but I couldn't see the benefit in terms of traffic calming. Residents would have to cross the road to get to their cars.

"Following a fairly lengthy discussion I proposed the lines shouldn't be painted. We looked at all the issues the councillors agreed the lines shouldn't go on."