Anger over road danger
Risky new roundabouts
Two new miniroundabouts have left Jackton residents furious – with people going round them the wrong way.
And there have been calls for the pavements around them to be ripped up and relaid.
The Peel Road roundabouts, which link to a new housing development, have frustrated Thorntonhall resident and wheelchair user Archie Galbraith.
As a former civil engineer he has raised concerns about the standards of the road layout, as well as describing the pavements as looking like a “dog’s breakfast”.
He also feels speed bumps should be installed on Peel Road.
“The way the roundabout is laid out, cars and lorries continually hit the kerb,” he said.
“They are forced to go round the wrong way – or just do it anyway – and that causes a huge risk.
“I’ve heard of at least eight incidents of traffic accidents but it seems they will not be considered an accident by police unless it’s a head-on collision.
“The pavements are not smooth and the kerbs need a complete redesign.
“It’s at all the wrong angles for pedestrians and cars, which encourages drivers to take more risks.”
Jackton and Thorntonhall Community Council have asked for more police to monitor the road.
At the council’s last meeting, PC Martin Foye said they have increased the number of routine patrols and fined a number of drivers for using the wrong side of roundabouts.
Community council chair Alistair Stewart said: “It’s a badly designed roundabout but, as is often the case with a mini-roundabout, drivers decide that the most direct route is the best.
“They are quite small and both are at strange angles so they are a hazard.
“It can be quite hairraising for anyone coming up to the roundabout.
“We have spoken to South Lanarkshire Council and they say there is adequate signage so at our last meeting we asked for more police to patrol the area and they have accepted.
“Hopefully an increase in police will discourage this kind of driving and people who take the risk.”
Gordon Mackay, head of roads and transportation services at the council, said: “The miniroundabouts to access the new developments in Thorntonhall have been designed and constructed in accordance with current standards.
“These can be negotiated when driven with due care and attention.”
He added: “The footways are new, constructed to appropriate standards and in good condition. We have recently carried out some footway repairs in Thorntonhall in response to concerns raised by a member of the public.”