A decision is due soon over calls to change parking on Maryport’s Senhouse Street.

Following a consultation with businesses, county council highways bosses are weighing up whether to alter the traffic layout, which has been widely criticised since it was redesigned 10 years ago.

Maryport county councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes has insisted that improvement work needs to be done, as the town is enjoying a boost with new businesses opening.

Traders have campaigned for a decade for revisions, arguing that the angled parking bays introduced in the earlier revamp are not fit for purpose. They want to see a better flow of traffic to ease congestion and encourage more shoppers.

A council spokesman said consultation responses were being reviewed and a decision on whether changes should be proposed was expected to be made this month.

Planned changes would need to be advertised for public consultation before they could be agreed.

The spokesman added: “Further letters will be distributed if proposals are taken forward to the formal advertisement stage.”

Plans to bus stop arrangements are also being discussed.

The assessment comes after Coun McCarron-Holmes pledged action to tackle traffic and safety concerns on the street, supported by council colleague Keith Little.

Maryport Town Council and retailers are pushing for the bus stop to be moved, for angle parking to be taken away and for loading bays and bus stops to be on the same side of the road to improve traffic flow.

Roger Rivers, secretary of Love Maryport Team, said the group welcomed the idea of making changes to improve traffic flow.

He said: “A street that is used all day long shouldn’t be blocked.

“The general consensus within the group is that we feel the bus would be better stopping in Mill Street car park. It’s unnecessary for it to stop on Senhouse Street and block the road. It would also be safer for people getting on and off.

“There’s also a question mark around big trucks, whether there should be bollards everywhere, but that is just a question.”

This week, Coun McCarron-Holmes said: “I have pressed the case for changes. The situation in relation to parking and traffic there has got beyond belief. There has to be some improvement.”

The assessment comes as two new businesses settle into the town centre.

Husband and wife Barrie and Sharon Hornby, who run C-Quills walk-in salon, have taken on the former Akitts building on the corner of Senhouse Street and Curzon Street, to make room for sunbeds, which they expect to launch next month.

Computer and TV sales and repairs company Alexander Micros Computers has moved from Mr Micros’ Dearham home to the old NatWest building, now owned by Maryport businessman John George.