Island of death at crossing in Troon
Slow moving pensioners are being put at risk by being encouraged to cross near a fast bend, writes Stephen Houston.
A councillor has now lashed out at the Ayrshire Roads Alliance for failing to consult elected members in Troon before building the pedestrian island.
Our picture clearly shows the curved wall which sweeps into Barassie Street from North Shore Road.
Councillor Peter Convery said that when the Sanderling View complex was built in 2004, a similar crossing was ruled out on safety grounds.
He came across the road works last week and said: “I knew nothing about it and neither did any of the other councillors from Troon.
“The bottom line is South Ayrshire Council never put it in as it would be difficult for the residents.
“I am really concerned at the residents using it with cars coming round that corner at speed.
“It is only 30 metres from the corner, which is absolutely nothing.”
He added: “I sit on the ARA and I will be having harsh words with them.
“When Sanderling Court was built the curvature of the turn into Barassie Street from the shore means drivers hardly hard to slow down at all when the take the corner.
“This spot is also too narrow to take an island and it is not a safe crossing.”
He said the first he knew about it was when he spotted a digger and workers in the street.
Residents of the 62 flats are supposed to walk 150 yards to the traffic lights to cross.
Last week’s Troon Community Council meeting heard Councillor Convery is contacting the ARA to say their work is “not fit for purpose.”
Other community councillors also voiced concern.
And Anne Cameron asked: “So who has passed this?”
Colleague Liz McNish added: “It is an accident wating to happen.”
ARA says they installed it after being contacted by the residents themselves.
And a spokesman insisted that because the project was not major, that councillors did not need to be informed.
Stuart Turner, Head of the Ayrshire Roads Alliance said: “The request for the traffic island on Barassie Street came to ARA from elderly residents at the retirement flats who are looking to cross the road at that location.
“There is a pedestrian crossing further along the road, but it is clear residents are crossing at this point so we are addressing their safety concerns.
“Although traffic volumes are moderate, the visibility at this point in the road is poor. We agreed that building a traffic island would improve road safety and Police Scotland also confirmed they were happy for the island to be built.”