A84 safety pledge
Transport bosses are to study safety issues on a stretch of road near Blair Drummond Safari Park.
Representatives from Transport Scotland this week held a meeting with MSPs, councillors, bosses from the safari park and community councils to discuss concerns over the junction on the A84 at the entrance to the popular attraction.
Residents have long been raising concerns over the turning, which they claim sees several near misses every year.
An FOI response from Transport Scotland showed there were 14 personal injury accidents on the A84 in the Blair Drummond area between January 2014 and August 2017, including three serious injuries. No one was killed.
Bosses from Transport Scotland agreed to carry out a study to assess what can be done to make the road safer.
A spokesperson said: “Given the strategic importance of the A84 trunk road and the significant economic benefit delivered to the local community by the safari park, we have asked our operating company to undertake some initial feasibility for a junction improvement.
“This work, to be undertaken next year, will identify what improvement measures might be feasible and the costs of these measures.
“Any next steps will be dependent on the outcomes. The parties involved in the talks also agreed to investigate options for funding any improvement.”
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford and Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Dean Lockhart have led a joint campaign to persuade the transport agency to take action.
Following the meeting Mr Crawford said: “I’m delighted that there is now cross-party commitment to working with the local community on this matter and I was pleased to see a good turnout of local representatives and community members at the meeting.”
Mr Lockhart added: “I’m pleased that Transport Scotland have acknowledged the need for action at this problem junction and will now go ahead with planning possible solutions.
“It’s important that these plans are drawn up as soon as possible so that my constituents can be reassured that appropriate action will be taken.”
Safari park manager Gary Gilmour said: “We’re a family attraction and the safety of our visitors is our primary concern.
“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with Transport Scotland and MSPs and are hopeful for a solution that addresses concerns over safety on the A84.”
Residents complain that long queues of traffic frequently form on the road, particularly at weekends or holidays during the summer.
The queues sometimes stretch as far as the outskirts of Stirling.
In August one resident said: “Queue warning signs seem a slight improvement but until Transport Scotland use their eyes rather than criteria the risk of a young family on a day out dying is real.”