Speed trap scarecrows back on accident patrol

coupar angus: Mannequins in hi-vis jackets back at scene of tragedy to curb speeding

Scarecrow policemen have returned to a notorious accident blackspot just days after they were evicted by council chiefs.

Defiant safety campaigners have once again planted two homemade mannequins at the edge of Coupar Angus.

A similar pair, also dressed in high visibility vests, were put in place on the A94 roadside earlier this month. Residents said they successfully helped put the brakes on motorists entering the town.

The fake police are near the spot where toddler Harlow Edwards was knocked down and killed in October last year.

Perth and Kinross Council claimed the dummies could be a distraction to drivers and may “jeopardise any enforcement action” taken by the real police.

A local authority spokeswoman has pledged to remove the new duo.

Councillor John Kellas, convener of the enterprise and infrastructure committee, said: “I have sympathy for people

I have sympathy for people who think they are doing the right thing... COUNCILLOR JOHN KELLAS

who think they are doing the right thing but they shouldn’t take action without going through the proper channels.”

He said that new proposals for a range of improvements on the Forfar Road route had been well received by locals and would go before councillors next week.

“The whole community has worked together to create a very good scheme,” he said. “Everyone has had an opportunity to have their input.”

Community councillors were recently shown four options for the stretch. They preferred a draft plan which features new traffic lights, signs and road markings.

If approved, work on the upgrade could get under way this summer.

Local councillor Dennis Melloy has welcomed the return of the bogus traffic police.

“I am delighted that they are back because they worked and they were still working this morning,” he said. “Drivers were putting their brakes on as soon as the saw the yellow jackets.”

The previous police dummies were praised by road safety campaigners, include Sara Edwards, Harlow’s mum.

She said: “I have seen the Good Samaritans at the end of my street and, while I don’t know where they came from, I’m really pleased with the effect they’re having.

“Having spoken to some neighbours, I think we are all in agreement that these new additions highlight the need for change.”

Councillor Dennis Melloy with the scarecrow officers in Coupar Angus.