Highland Council to carry out speed survey along the B9161 following appeal by Black Isle residents; MSP Kate Forbes hears local concerns
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A SPEED survey is to be carried out on a busy stretch of road on the Black Isle following an appeal by locals to their MSP.
A speed survey will be carried out by Highland Council on a stretch of the B9161, which links much of the Black Isle with Inverness and the A9.
Inverness bus driver Mohamed Chache (50) died earlier this year when the Cromarty-bound bus he was driving collided with the Littlemill Bridge on the route. There have been two other fatalities on the road in recent years.
Bogallan resident Angus Walker said: “I’ve lived here for over 20 years and my house is right beside the road. I have noticed a huge increase in the volume of traffic, but especially the speed at which vehicles are going past.”
He added: “We look forward to seeing what the speed survey establishes.”
Locals say near misses are often caused by vehicles failing to observe the 40mph speed limit on the stretch towards the bridge.
Ms Forbes said: “I have been approached by some of the residents of Bogallan and was left in no doubt about their concerns over the number of speeding vehicles.
“A lot of Black Isle constituents who regularly use Littlemill Bridge to get to or from Inverness tell me that there have been quite a few near misses over the years at this point in the road.
“Vehicles coming down the hill from Bogallan direction have to reduce their speed sharply off of a long straight stretch – and come to a complete stop if they are giving way to traffic on the other side of the bridge.
“I’ve been told that residents in Munlochy can sometimes hear the beeping of horns, which is usually the result of drivers taking an unnecessary risk to cross the bridge when they should be giving way.”
She welcomed a Highland Council assurance to carry out a speed survey to consider if further safety measures are needed. It will identify the number of vehicles using the route as well as the average speeds.
Miss Forbes added: “Regardless of the outcome, I hope that all drivers and road users will be more careful and conscientious at this section of road in the future.”
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