Call for more road safety measures

A pair of Scottish Conservative politicians have welcomed the introduction of new road safety measures in Portmoak but have stressed that even more can be done to safeguard pedestrians in future.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith and Kinross-shire councillor Callum Purves both say they are regularly contacted by constituents concerned about reckless driving and speeding along the A911.

Perth and Kinross Council recently introduced 20mph speed limits and installed vehicleactivated signs in certain places around the parish such as Kinnesswood.

But Ms Smith and Cllr Purves reckon more signs and extra signals and crossings are also required in areas like Balgedie to protect pedestrians.

Cllr Purves remarked: “I have been doing my best to get action on road safety in Portmoak since being elected.

“We have seen the introduction of the 20mph speed limits and they have helped to reduce some of the speeding that took place.

“We have also seen vehicle-activated signs installed and they have proved to be fairly effective in forcing drivers to slow down.

“Nevertheless, I am still getting correspondence from constituents about regular near misses between pedestrians and vehicles on a fairly regular basis. I feel that more needs to be done to address these issues.

“I recently organised a site visit with the community council and the council’s roads teams to look at outstanding road safety issues.

“As a result, the council has agreed to introduce various measures, including introducing 30mph speed limits in Easter and Wester Balgedie, speed bumps along the A911 in Kinnesswood and new 20mph village nameplates for Scotlandwell and Kilmagadwood.”

Ms Smith added: “Working together with local residents, community councillors, ward councillors and the council, we have already secured a 20mph speed limit for Kinnesswood and for Kilmagadwood and Scotlandwell, and vehicle-activated signs for Easter Balgedie, Kinnesswood and Scotlandwell.

“There are a number of other mitigation measures, which cannot be progressed in the short term, but we will continue to press for action on them.

“These include getting a signalized junction at the Balgedie Toll Tavern, a puffin crossing between the village hall and church and additional vehicle-activated signs in Scotlandwell and Easter Balgedie.

“There is also still work to be done with the community council and the council’s community greenspace team to progress a safe footpath link between Kilmagadwood and Scotlandwell.”