Road safety plan for area near distillery
A number of measures aimed at improving road safety outside popular Stirlingshire visitor attraction the Glengoyne Distillery have been proposed.
Distillery owners Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd have submitted a planning application which includes new footpaths, signage, realignment to access and road markings, street lighting and bus shelters.
These, according to the company, would help to reduce vehicle speeds on the adjacent A81.
Glengoyne Distillery, which has more than 80,000 visitors every year, straddles the busy road. The traditional distillery and main tourist attraction on one side of the road and distillery buildings, the visitor car and bus park are on the opposite side.
In its submission to Stirling Council, included with the planning application, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd point out: “The distillery welcomes approximately 85,000 tourists per annum to the site, many of whom are either elderly, are families with young children or visitors from foreign countries and many may need more time to cross the road.
“During the last 15 years the volume of traffic on the road and numbers visiting the distillery have both increased significantly.
“The distillery has engaged with [former Stirling MP] Stephen Kerr, Police Scotland and Stirling Council roads deparment in this regard, and whilst rumble strips were laid on the road at the distillery and the old nonfunctioning speed activated signs were brought back into use this has still not fully alleviated the concern.
“In light of that, and in the absence of any other measures being brought forward to mitigate the road safety issue it has been deemed necessary for Glengoyne Distillery to bring forward their own
proposals, and it is hoped with the proposed measures in place that this can support a formal reduction in the speed limit on this stretch of road.”
The statement goes on to point out that the total number of crossings by pedestrians on the A81 adjacent to the distillery is estimated to exceed 200,000 per annum.
It adds: “This number is comparable with many streets in towns and cities across the UK where there are 30mph speed restrictions in place.
“The A81 currently has a 60mph speed restriction in place. Through engagement with Police Scotland it has become clear that if the distillery was to introduce measures that would in themselves, help to reduce vehicle speeds, and also introduce measures to aid pedestrian crossing and safety that can help support associated measures to reduce the speed limit.
“In light of that, and in recognition that the pedestrians crossing the road are visiting the distillery, Glengoyne Distillery is now bringing forward proposals to help progress the situation, and which will hopefully support the introduction of a reduced speed limit.”