COUNCILLORS have called for an “emergency meeting” early in the new year to finalise plans for the start of a famous vintage car rally in Clydebank – although officials have insisted that arrangements for the event are well in hand.

The Monte Carlo Rally is due to set off from the West College Scotland campus on the waterfront on Wednesday, January 30 – when around 6,000 spectators are expected to descend on the site to watch drivers set off on their epic journey to the south of France.

But West Dunbartonshire Council’s cultural committee was advised this week that because they don’t meet again until February, an additional “emergency meeting” should be held beforehand.

On Monday, Ronnie Dinnie, the council’s strategic lead for environment and neighbourhood, told the cultural committee that plans for traffic arrangements and parking for the event are well in hand.

The committee’s chairman, Bailie Denis Agnew, has arranged to meet the new principal of West College Scotland, Liz Connolly, to discuss arrangements with the college, and to find out their interest and involvement in the event.

Bailie Agnew this week called for an emergency meeting to take place to finalise publicity, statutory notices, first aid, toilet provision, participant hospitality and room hire.

There are also plans to get sponsorship and explore the possibility that a car could be sponsored by the council which would go the full journey to Monte Carlo.

The committee are looking to get a full update from Mr Dinnie, along with roads and transportation manager Raymond Walsh and community facilities officer Andy Moffat.