Community vindicated over long battle for road crossings on A830
RESIDENTS in Kilmallie, Banavie and Corpach were vindicated this week after Transport Scotland finally accepted the need for controlled crossings on the A830.
Transport Scotland area manager David Devine met members of Kilmallie Community Council on Monday night to report that traffic surveys at Banavie swing bridge and the Co- op in Corpach showed there was a need for marked crossings with pedestrian controls.
A full feasibility study of both areas will now be carried out in the summer. Caol and Mallaig councillor Ben Thompson told the Lochaber Times it was a ‘major breakthrough’ for the community after Transport Scotland had denied the need for pedestrian crossings.
‘The community efforts of residents, the community council and the Lochaber Disability Access Panel, who have been campaigning for 15 years, is starting to bear fruit.’
Mr Thompson said previous surveys showed, during evening rush hour, there is only a five-second gap between cars making it impossible for people to get across the road.
‘This is a high priority for us and, hopefully, at the meeting we made this clear.’
Banavie resident Annette Hobson, who is registered blind and has trouble hearing, said she has been campaigning for a controlled crossing for years.
In January, she was involved in a near miss on the Fort William to Mallaig stretch near the swing bridge, which she thinks has been a factor in the decision.
She told the Lochaber Times: ‘It’s a very contentious issue for me and it’s been a long haul. I nearly got rid of my guide dog because I was so worried about her safety. Every time I have to cross that road my stomach is in knots. It’s terrifying.
‘This is a significant breakthrough and I hope we can continue to make progress and get the crossings sooner rather than later.’
Mr Thompson explained while Transport Scotland has funding for the feasibility study in the next financial year, it does not have money set aside to put the crossing in.
When asked if he was concerned about this, he said: ‘I’ll continue to be concerned until the crossings are in place and continue to put pressure on Transport Scotland to make sure they go in.’
Ms Hobson also shared the councillor’s concerns. She said: ‘The fact there may not be a budget for the crossing is ridiculous and I’m worried they’ll stall things because they are looking for the money.’
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: ‘The feasibility studies will be carried out in the coming months to make sure we have a clear picture of what is required at these locations. We need to see the results of these before the financial implications can be considered.’
Chairwoman of Kilmallie Community Council Christine Hutchison said: ‘This is positive in that we are going forward rather than standing still. It’s better than where we were because now something is happening. We will see what the study throws up.’
Councillor Allan Henderson said: ‘What now needs to be fully examined is the habits of pedestrians – for instance, when they cross from Montrose Mansions to the Corpach shop. As this involves car parking and a loading bay for the shop, it needs to be carefully examined to make sure any lights installed would be in exactly the right place.
‘This really vindicates the work done by Kilmallie Community Council, councillors and residents to prove to Transport Scotland there is a problem with pedestrians crossing this road.’