Call to review traffic safety
Action plea after woman is killed
Roads bosses have promised to work with police to review cyclist safety in Perth following the tragic death of Margaret Lowdon at the weekend.
Margaret (75) was killed during a collision with a HGV on Bridgend’s Main Street on Saturday, July 7.
Now, Perth and Kinross Council has said it could introduce new cycling safety measures.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “All new cycling infrastructure provided by Perth and Kinross Council is designed following national guidelines and standards.
“The safety of all vulnerable road users including cyclists is paramount and the provision of cycle lanes, shared use facilities, footpaths etc all contribute to a safer network.
“As with all serious or fatal accidents the council’s officers will work closely with Police Scotland and following the police’s investigations if there are any additional appropriate measures that can be provided we will do so in due course.”
The spokesperson added: “The council has over a number of years provided infrastructure to promote sustainable modes of transport and will continue to do so within the available budgets.”
This comes after two residents wrote to the four councillors representing the city centre demanding for something to be done to manage the heavy traffic and road safety in Bridgend.
Christopher and Andrea Cooke said: “The traffic in Bridgend needs to be managed so as to result in greater safety for all. There are regularly many pedestrians including visitors to the area staying at B&Bs and families with children on foot or using buggies.
“There are also many pensioners as well as wheelchair users and dog walkers. Add this to the heavy traffic including HGVs and it results in a recipe for disaster, which was indeed the case for the unfortunate woman on her bike on Saturday.”
In the letter, the couple said the cycle lanes are too narrow and often start and stop, and suggest one of the footpaths on Smeaton’s Bridge could be used exclusively for cyclists to ease the pressure on the crowded roads.
They also ask for a 20mph speed limit on Main Street and Strathmore Street in Bridgend. The letter continues: “Please,
Police officers swooped on the scene after the accident please act on this issue before there is further loss of life.
“We cannot wait until the new bridge opens for something to be done – the growing freight on this road from Scone and through Bridgend, combined with the excessive speed of drivers on this route, can only lead to further injury and/or fatalities on these roads.
“It also flags up the failure of the council and the roads department to accommodate alternative and green transport options, especially cycling and walking, as vehicular access takes precedence.”
The call has been echoed by Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire.
Earlier this week the SNP representative wrote to Barbara Renton, director of environment at Perth and Kinross Council, calling for a review of road safety in the city.
He said: “I am sure that you will agree with me that the death of a much loved and valued member of our community is extremely sad and given that she was a very experienced cyclist, it is imperative that we look at what can be done to improve road safety for vulnerable road users.”
Reader’s letters page 21.