Put speed cameras on this death road
Councillor demands action over high-speed A737
Speed cameras must be installed to prevent further deaths on the A737, a councillor has demanded.
Andy Doig called for safety upgrades along the high-speed route across Renfrewshire.
It has been the scene of scores of accidents – as it switches from a dual to single carriageway.
Councillor Doig says the road must be widened and monitored to cut crashes.
He said: “My constituents are sick of the A737 being a deathtrap, particularly around the Howwood junction.
“There is an imminent report due out on the road and we desperately need it now.
“We must install speed cameras pending the publication of the paper.
“We can see the difference they have had on driver behaviour on other accident blackspots, such as the A9.
“Sadly, Transport Scotland say there have not been enough fatalities on the A737 to justify speed cameras.
“This is a shocking and cavalier approach to human life.
“There have been far too many deaths on that stretch over the years.”
The A737 is the main route linking Paisley to Johnstone and villages across rural Renfrewshire.
The artery also carries traffic south to towns scattered throughout North Ayrshire.
Around 25,000 motors use it every day – making it one of the busiest roads in Scotland.
Dozens of drivers have been killed or seriously injured after smashes on the carriageway.
Critics blame the switch from dual to single carriageway near Howwood for many of the accidents.
Campaigners have called for an extra lane to be added to the stretch.
Councillor Doig is convener of the All Party A737 Partnership Group.
The Johnstone Nor th, Kilbarchan, Howwood, and Lochwinnoch member has invited Transport Minister Michael Matheson to tour the site.
He added: “I believe that a faceto-face approach can often help to personalise the real dangers which my constituents face.
“I have invited Mr Matheson to come to Howwood and meet local people to see why a deathtrap, which goes from dual to single carriageway, and was built in the 1990s, is no longer fit for purpose in 2018.”
Upgrades were carried out along the route in April.
Improvements were made to the eastbound on- ramp near Johnstone with resurfacing ordered.
Transport Scotland insists it is continually monitoring the road.
A spokesman said: “Road safety is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government.
“We assess the safety performance of the trunk road network on an annual basis, including the A737.
“A package of road safety improvement measures were implemented earlier this year at the Howwood junction, with works ongoing to replace the street lighting with LED lighting on new passively-safe columns.
“Investigations are also underway at the Newton of Belltrees junction, with safety measures programmed for early in 2019.”