Mid Calder’s Main Street is being used as a rush hour rat run for residents of the village’s much larger Livingston neighbour, locals have warned.
One villager made a plea to a meeting of West Lothian Council: “Something is desperately required before a serious accident happens on this road.”
Graham Campbell who lives on the narrow winding main road through the village told councillors: “Traffic starts to build up in the morning about 7.30 when Main Street is used as a short cut route for commuters travelling east toward Edinburgh and it’s the reverse in the evening when the traffic is heading back towards Livingston. Many drivers are doing more than 40 miles per hour.”
Mr Campbell said his neighbours had filmed cars passing their house with a "very accurate speed gun."
He added that while locals adhered to the 20mph restrictions some others did not. It was not unusual to see people driving slowly taking their children to the village primary and “they fly back down the road.”
Problems exist beyond rush hours because of the large number of cafes and eateries which supply food delivered by drivers between 5pm and 8pm.
Locals have spoken to the police and council roads staff but, Mr Campbell said: “It’s catch 22. The council say speeding drivers is a police matter, the police say the council needs to put in calming measures.”
Police believe there have been no accidents on the Main Street but Mr Campbell said this was down an an error in the address, and a boy had his leg broken after being struck by a car a few months ago.
Local councillors shared the reports they had about speeding drivers. Councillor Carl John said that the increase in traffic meant that it was slowing down some drivers, but he agreed it had been a long running problem and something had to be done to slow drivers in the village.
Councillor Damian Doran-Timson asked if there had been any near misses. Mr Campbell said they were common. He had to back out of his driveway onto the street and many drivers did not slow down for this.
Putting up signs is “not enough” added Mr Campbell, asking for across the street traffic calming measures.
“Having blanket 20mph speed restrictions across the area has not helped. Having many more younger residents in the village, it's inconceivable what may happen if we don’t get this under control,” he told the council.
Councillors agreed the plea should be passed to roads officers for investigation, with a report coming back to the Development and Transport PDSP before a decision by the Executive.
