Road users have their say on A85

THE response to The Oban

Times’ Stay Alive on the A85 campaign has started to build a body of evidence about accidents and near misses on the road.

This week we hear from readers, alongside launching aerial video footage of the section of road together with a commentary written by an instructor in crash scene management.

Tourist Yves Loisel, from France, who heard about the on-going Oban Times campaign told of his concerns, saying: ‘On holiday in Scotland last June for a couple of weeks, I can witness that Scottish roads are narrow, winding and rather bumpy.

‘Drivers must be very careful and look both at the road ahead of them and at other cars rather than at the beautiful scenery around them.

‘Unfortunately, I noticed that too many people drove far too fast for the kind of roads the country has. It is true of the A85 and also of many other small roads which would badly need repairing properly.’

And road watcher Stephen Jones, from Oban, said: ‘I was hit on the arm by a slow moving vehicle near the Bealach-anRigh. It is the second time this has happened near the A85.

‘Both drivers were elderly and going slow but please be vigilant – the A85 from Oban to Connel has had many serious accidents in the past and a tragedy is waiting to happen.

‘There is a narrow path which is now a foot wider and more easy to walk two abreast, more safe to walk on. Joggers should always run towards the direction of the oncoming traffic so they have a chance of avoiding an accident if possible.

‘The road is very scenic but there are many potholes and some of the storm drains are blocked causing an excess of rain water onto the carriage-way.

‘In some areas, a hazard to vehicles travelling at speed, some verges and paths are under a state of slight subsidence, embankments are steep and unguarded by safety barriers in some areas. Speed is a great factor in all accidents.

‘More signage is required, and a speed reduction along with double white lines.

‘I keep seeing drivers using their mobiles and on-board computer diaries while driving, a distraction on such a road that has had so many accidents.

‘I, when driving towards Connel at Pennyfuir, had to mount the path to avoid a head on collision with a vehicle that was overtaking a HGV. I just managed to avoid and brake before missing a woman and small child in a pram. On average there is a fatality every year and many are injured. There are, they say, many hundred of nuts that hold a vehicle together, but the biggest one holds onto the steering wheel.

‘A tragedy is waiting to happen. Don’t let it be you.’

Next week: the woes of those who have found themselves waiting up to 15 minutes before they are able to turn on to the A85.