A DECISION to alter a key bus route through Largs and send it directly into ferry traffic congestion has come under fire.

Changes to the Stagecoach 585 service have been branded 'ridiculous' as the company prepares to introduce a new timetable at the end of this week.

The 585 will no longer service Gallowgate Street or Greenock Road on the A78 as of Sunday, affecting people heading to appointments at Brooksby Medical Centre.

And a new route heading northbound into Largs means it will clash with ferry queues during busy days in the town.

Labour councillor Alex Gallagher branded the lack of public consultation on the decision as 'a disgrace'.

He added: "People should have been spoken to about change this dramatic. The firm haven't spoken to any council members as far as I know.

"Bath Street is already very congested because of the ferries situation and the queues, as we have seen this summer, have been quite huge. Adding more traffic to that route is simply a bad idea.

"I also think it is a mistake by Stagecoach to cut out the north part of town."

Fellow Cllr Alan Hill also hit out at the travel operator and said they were treating their customers with contempt.

He added: "This is a ridiculous decision by Stagecoach and takes no account of the needs of the passengers that they are supposed to serve. By the very nature of the service they provide, we are talking about a lot of people who have no access to private transport options.

"If you are elderly or infirm, then getting from the town centre out to the surgery or to Brooksby is a fair distance. In order to save a few pennies, they seem have scant interest in the wellbeing of their own customers.

"I would strongly urge them to have a re-think about these changes."

However, Conservative councillor Tom Marshall BACKED the changes.

He said: "It might not be so convenient for visiting the medical practice, but there are four McGill's services every hour from Main Street and a Largs local bus service.

"I'd like the company to consider the 585 bus service route continuing to Greenock, rather than just stopping at Largs and turning back."

A spokesperson for Stagecoach West Scotland said: “From August 8, on journeys to Largs Stagecoach West Scotland’s 585 service will now serve Charles Street, Mackerston Place and Bath Street before completing its journey at the bus stop outside The Bagel Basket on Main Street.

“Journeys towards Ardrossan and Ayr will start from Main Street. The current bus stops on Gallowgate Street will no longer be served but the bus stops on Main Street are only 150 metres away from the previous stops.

“These changes will provide passengers with a more punctual service in Largs as buses will no longer need to travel over a mile and half out of service to turn for the return journey.

“There are no changes to the timetable on a Sunday other than to reflect the new route. There are minor changes to running times on the Monday to Saturday timetable which will better reflect traffic patterns on the route.

"This may change arrival times by a few minutes at certain bus stops and we encourage all passengers to check timetables before travel."