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Fatal crash on the A9 on the Black Isle sparks fresh safety calls from Highland figures


By Val Sweeney

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Vehicles at the Munlochy junction.
Vehicles at the Munlochy junction.

FRUSTRATION is growing at a lack of urgent action to improve a dangerous junction on the Black Isle which was the scene of a fatal crash earlier this month.

The incident happened on the A9 at the Munlochy B9161 junction on Friday, November 19 about 4.20pm and involved a white Nissan Pixo and a red Volvo V60.

The 86-year-old driver of the Nissan died later at Raigmore Hospital.

Just last month, Transport Scotland confirmed street lighting was to be installed at the junction following a public consultation.

As well as messages of condolence, community leaders and the public are calling for urgent action.

John Stott, chairman of Knockbain Community Council, said the simplest and cheapest way would be to close all the gaps between North Kessock and Tore and add a 50mph limit on the approaches to Tore Roundabout.

“It seems like madness to have traffic crossing a dual carriageway with poor sight lines and traffic approaching at 70mph,” he said. “It has been nigh on two years since the last fatality although there have been a number of other accidents. The bigger solutions, such as roundabouts and flyovers would take decades to fulfil.”

He said it had taken almost two years to get to the point where lights would be installed which was “ridiculously slow”.

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said she was heartbroken for those who had lost a loved one. She has written to Transport Scotland calling for improvements to be fast-tracked, and to police about increased camera patrols in the short term.

“Though I have been campaigning for road safety improvements here for a number of years now, I am frustrated that further progress hasn’t been made – as I think everyone on the Black Isle, and indeed the wider Highlands, would accept that this is one of the most dangerous junctions on the network,” she said. “Though Transport Scotland’s study has been helpful to a point, urgent action is now required.”

Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant was upset to hear of another fatal crash, adding that there was an acceptance at all levels of government that major improvements were needed. She said: “We need major structural improvement in the area and we need an increased police presence until improvements are introduced.”

Conservative MSP Edward Mountain called the loss of life “tragic” and said: “This is a dangerous junction, along with many other junctions on the A9, which is why I am calling for the A9 to be upgraded – disappointingly, this proposal is being met with resistance from the Green Party.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said they could not comment further as police investigations were continuing. Anyone who saw the cars or has dash-cam footage should call police on 101, quoting incident 2379 of November 19.


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