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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stephanie Brawn

Roads chiefs set to clamp down on Bridge of Weir speedsters after petition calls for urgent action on road in and out of village

Roads bosses are set to clamp down on drivers racing in and out of Bridge of Weir after dozens of worried residents called for urgent action.

A petition with 35 signatures was submitted to Renfrewshire Council by Bankend Road resident Abigail MacKinnon calling for traffic calming measures to be introduced on Kilbarchan Road where "numerous" accidents have taken place and pets have been killed.

People say the section between Locher Road and Ranfurly Road - where both elderly people and young families live - is of particular concern as residents insist the 30mph limit is not slow enough.

The road is also the only route in and out of the village that does not have any measures in place to slow down traffic.

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Residents are becoming increasingly concerned about cars charging along the windy road to the point where some parents have opted to drive a few hundred yards to the school bus stop because they are so afraid for their children's safety.

At this week's meeting of the council's petitions board, officials agreed action is needed and a designer will be brought on board to work out what measures would help improve the situation.

Ms MacKinnon told the board: "I have four young children and I am having to drive my kids probably 200 yards to the bus stop because it’s across that busy road [Kilbarchan Road] and I’m not the only one that’s doing that.

"I have got lots of friends in surrounding areas as well and there is a lot of people who have to walk down Kilbarchan Road because it is the main way into the village so it’s not just people living in Kilbarchan Road that it’s affecting."

Her petition added: "Pavements are narrow, where there are pavements, and kerbs are in line with the fast-paced road.

"Numerous accidents have taken place on this road and local pets have been killed. Please do not wait until the same happens to a child or elderly person before taking action.

"The petition has been supported unanimously by all households in Kilbarchan Road, Bankend Road, Northview and Locher Road."

Councillor Andy Steel added: "I used to cycle the road quite a lot but in the past few years it appears to have attracted more racers than residents because they think it’s a quiet road.

"I would not cycle on it now if you paid me to do it. I agree with the points the petitioners have made."

The petition stated many approaches had been made to the council over the years about the road including, more recently, via the #YouDecide campaign, where the local authority invited people to come forward with ideas about how money should be spent in their area.

Road officer Mark Higginbotham said to petitioners: "We’re going to take some more surveys of how people use that road and initiate a design for some sort of traffic calming that will do the job for you.

"Traffic calming is open to consultation with the public so we will come up with some ideas and put it to the people and see if they think it’s useful.

"There’s no denying the fact we agree with you and we are working towards something that will help you."

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