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Alness father campaigns for crossing on busy route


By Louise Glen

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Concerns about a road crossing which local Alness man Russell Williamson believes needs a pelican crossing or traffic lights,..Picture: Callum Mackay..
Concerns about a road crossing which local Alness man Russell Williamson believes needs a pelican crossing or traffic lights,..Picture: Callum Mackay..

AN Alness dad–of–two badly injured in a bad car accident a number of years ago is campaigning for a safe crossing to his children's nursery.

Russell Williamson has started a petition for a pelican crossing at Novar Road, on the B817, after witnessing a number of "near misses".

Mr Williamson says he is all too aware from personal experience of the devastating impact accidents can have.

"The more I have spoken about having a crossing, the more people are all for it."

He said: "We have two children, George who is two and Oliver who is six months. It wasn't until George started attending Ankerville Nursery we realised that the road can be very difficult and dangerous to cross.

"But it is not just children, there are elderly people who would benefit from a safe place to cross the road.

"At the moment traffic comes in both directions at some speed, and in some places there is very little visibility. This means that parents, children and all the other people who use this bit of road take their life in their hands to cross to the other side.

"The more I have spoken about having a crossing, the more people are all for it."

He said: "I had a road accident that has left me with a brain injury. I was driving on the road at night and went into a deer. The consequences of that accident will be with me for the rest of my life. I would not want that to happen to anyone else."

Councillor Mike Finlayson (Cromarty Firth) said: "I can understand why Mr Williamson is raising this issue and I am supportive of him, as long as the plan meets the current legislation for the siting of a crossing.

"However, there are very strict rules around the placing of a pelican, or zebra crossing and we need to get it right. I have written to the Highland Council road safety team and I have asked them to come out and make a full assessment of the area.

"So at the moment we are waiting for that to happen."

Councillor Pauline Munro, Cromarty Firth ward, added: "I am aware of the petition and do think if something can be done safely then hopefully it will be.

"I and my three other colleagues want everyone to be safe so we now need to wait for a response from the appropriate department at Highland Council."

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