Grieving parents spearheading campaign to slow down traffic

Grieving parents Sara and Steven Edwards have spearheaded a hardhitting campaign against speeding motorists in Coupar Angus.

This summer, they returned to the scene of Harlow’s death to hold a “peaceful protest” with other villagers, holding banners and placards.

It followed a series of stunts by local safety campaigners, who were frustrated at a perceived lack of action by Perth and Kinross Council.

Locals claimed safety concerns had been raised about traffic on Forfar Road more than 10 years ago, long before Harlow’s death.

To highlight the point, one local risked the wrath of police by altering 30mph signs at each of the town’s entrances, creating an unofficial 20mph zone.

Earlier this year, safety campaigners installed scarecrow police officers in another effort to slow down motorists.

The dummies, in hi-viz jackets and posed as if holding speed guns, proved quite effective and helped put the brakes on speeding vehicles.

However, the local authority called for them to be removed, claiming they could be a distraction to drivers and might “jeopardise any enforcement action” taken by the genuine police.

Mr Edwards, 39, said in June: “In the absence of any permanent traffic calming measures, we have been left with no choice but to take things into our own hands and hope this will make the impact we need.”

The Edwards family has since helped shape a package of improvements, including a new three-way junction with traffic signals at Forfar Road and Larghan View, as well as a new four-way junction at Coupar Angus Road and Priceland Road.

...we have been left with no choice but to take things into our own hands and hope this will make the impact we need