Tain road junction options set to be discussed
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SAFETY options for improving two junctions in Easter Ross could be on the table next month following fears someone will die in a horror car smash at one of the black spots.
MSP Rhoda Grant demanded to know what steps were being taken to allay the community’s safety concerns over the accident-prone junctions close to Asda and Lidl at Tain.
Transport Scotland’s roads director Hugh Gillies responded this week indicating police may need to take a tougher stance on speeding and overtaking.
He also said video survey results were being fed into a study which sets out safety options, and which should be available by the end of next month.
Mrs Grant was pleased Transport Scotland "is taking this very seriously".
"It has taken into account not only safety performance but video surveys of both junctions to see exactly what is happening," she said.
"These surveys have highlighted any near-misses or conflicts as well as incidents which have happened to increase the risk of a collision without necessary appearing in personal injury accident records.
"The agency has assured me that on-going work at the junctions remains a high priority."
Local MP Jamie Stone was also buoyed by news saying it was a welcome change after what he described as "a blanket refusal by the Scottish Government to recognise that there was something seriously wrong".
There have been calls for a radical rethink to prevent fatalities at the junctions for several years. A recent smash near Tain – which has numerous accesses onto the busy A9 – sparked demands from Westminster, Holyrood and Highland Council representatives for safety measures to be introduced.
