Drive to improve safety on A7

Published 27 Jan 2012 09:30 1 Comment

ONE of Scotland's top transport officials has agreed to meet campaigners who are pressing for new safety standards on a key route between the Borders and the North of England.

The discussion is a major step forward for local residents in Langholm, Dumfriesshire who are concerned that the current 30 miles per hour limit which currently applies is far too fast and should be dropped to 20mph.

Of particular worry is the situation on the town's High Street, which has to cope with large volumes of traffic as it forms part of the main A7 trunk road between towns such as Berwick, Hawick, Galashiels, Selkirk, Kelso and Carlisle.

Heavy goods vehicles, cars and buses currently use the road, which is so narrow at one point that it is only a single lane. Pavements are also minimal, leaving local residents claiming they are being "terrorised" by the traffic

Progress through the town can also be frustrating for drivers, especially if two heavy goods vehicles travelling in opposite directions meet each other in the High Street.

South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine, who is supporting townsfolk in their campaign for a 20pmh limit, has now managed to secure a meeting in Langholm between local campaigners and Hugh Gillies, Head of Network Operations at Transport Scotland, the national agency responsible for trunk roads.

He agreed to become involved after Ms McAlpine wrote to Scottish Government Transport Minister Keith Brown asking if Langholm could be considered as a pilot for a 20mph speed limit on the trunk road network. At present, the minimum speed on a trunk road in Scotland has to be at least 30 mph.

Mr Brown has suggested the meeting with Transport Scotland, saying he believes it would be "beneficial."

Ms McAlpine said: "I'm glad that the minister has been able to move matters forward and along with the residents, I'm very much looking forward to meeting with Mr Gillies and seeing what he has to say.

"Although there is a strong case for all the roads in Langholm being subject to a 20mph limit, the argument in favour of a reduction to this speed on the High Street is particularly compelling.

"The narrowness of the street, the congestion and the speed at which vehicles passing through the town hurl along on the A7 are all major worries. It makes it a frightening and dangerous place for pedestrians.

"The residents of Langholm deserve to have their fears calmed and to be able to walk around the town in safety. I know they will press their case at the meeting with Transport Scotland and I will be there to support them in the hope we can resolve this issue once and for all."

The date of the meeting has yet to be announced.

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 27 Jan 12

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• 

  Vinckett
  Unregistered User
  Jan 27, 15:50
  Report comment

  Would be better if they could bypass the town centre somehow!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 1

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