Accident highlights need for campaign
THE OBAN TIMES continues its Stay Alive on the A85 campaign this week by focusing on the Dunbeg junction.
A multiple- car accident at the already highlighted ‘dangerous’ Dunbeg junction on the A85 on Friday July 7 saw one man taken to hospital while three cars were badly damaged.
Emergency services were called to the accident shortly after 3pm on Friday.
This latest accident highlights concerns voiced by residents and workers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science over a number of years.
Contractor John MacMillian, who witnessed the accident, said: ‘It is really too bad that no- one wants to stick their neck out and say the junction on that road is a death trap.
‘Since Dunbeg was built there have been no major improvements to the main exit onto the A85. There are at least an extra 500 more people and cars using the road to Dunbeg every day.
‘Frankly, the road is not fit for purpose and needs to be reviewed. I have heard the government will only take a view on doing something if there is a certain number of fatal accidents. That is appalling.
‘We need a roundabout and we need people in Oban to sign up to the Stay Alive on the A85 campaign to make sure it is supported by both the local council and the Scottish Government, and that changes are made before anyone else loses their life.’ The Oban Times has set up a petition with the aim of making the road safer for drivers and passengers, in particular between Oban and Connel.
To support the campaign, cut out and sign the petition slip below and hand it into The
Oban Times office, or alternatively sign our online petition by searching ‘Stay Alive on the A85’ at change.org.
People can also collect campaign car stickers from The
Oban Times office, Oban Phoenix Cinema, the Bid4Oban office in Stevenson Street, the Halfway House petrol station, Tesco, Lidl and Dunbeg Village Stores.