Residents in Chapelhall and Calderbank are being urged to give their views in the current consultations on proposed road safety changes in their respective areas.
Airdrie politicians Neil Gray MP and Alex Neil MSP are asking local people to share their opinions in the consultation exercise, which closes on March 21 – but note: “There is no outcome that will please everyone.”
Controversial chicanes could be removed from busy Lauchope Street in Chapelhall, after studies showed they had not reduced speeds as intended, to be replaced with speed tables and mini-roundabouts; while Calderbank could see the introduction of a pedestrian crossing and mini-roundabouts to assist with traffic calming.
The proposals were developed following traffic studies carried out after residents in both areas had raised concerns about the speed and volume of traffic in their area, which they say has increased since the completion of work on the nearby M8.
Mr Gray said: “This is a long overdue move by North Lanarkshire Council – residents of both Calderbank and Chapelhall have been worried about the increase in traffic numbers and the speeding in Calderbank in particular, with many saying it’s only a matter of time until someone is injured or worse.
“Since the introduction of the chicane in Chapelhall the speed issue has dropped but there is now the issue of congestion while vehicles wait to go through.
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“Alex Neil and I will be adding our own views; and while there’s no outcome that will please everyone, I hope that the residents in both villages will take the time to fill out the consultations and give their views on the right way to address the problem.”
Mr Neil agreed, saying: “The best people to advise how to tackle traffic problems in each village are the people who live there.
“The aim must be to improve safety for all road users and pedestrians, as well as making it easier for disabled and elderly people to get about locally – that will require financial investment by the council and others.
“Making our through roads safer and more environmentally friendly is absolutely the right thing to do.”
The Calderbank and Chapelhall roads consultation is available online and runs until March 21.
