TRAFFIC ANGER ON ‘QUIET’ STREET

The installation of traffic calming islands on a‘quiet’affluent road has been branded a‘disaster’by a resident who claims traffic flow, speeds and road rage have increased.

One resident of Alloway’s Longhill Avenue claims the road“resembles a race track”with drivers playing“a dangerous game of chicken”for right of way.

Now the approval of Stagecoach’s number 97 bus route along the road has caused more issues – leaving the homeowner asking for the bus to be re-routed and for the street to be reduced to a 20mph zone.

The resident told the Post:“The road already resembles a race track with would-be Lewis Hamiltons using the islands as a slalom course.

“If anything, the speeds have increased as people race for the right of way in a dangerous game of chicken since these measures have been installed. After the installation of the islands, Ayrshire Roads Alliance has approved a number 97 bus route for a huge double-decker bus to thunder up and down, navigating all the traffic islands and surely going against the very reason for installing the traffic calming islands?

“It doesn’t even stop on the street and only contributes to the flow of traffic.

“It is also a squeeze going across the single lane Brig O’Doon bridge. To me there is simply no logic in this.”

A Freedom of Information request into the cost of installing the traffic calming islands was shared with the Post, highlighting £41,282.39 was paid for via ‘developer gain’by home builder firm Mactaggart and Mickel.

The resident added:“The developer gets planning and to make profit but the innocent residents on Longhill Avenue pay a heavy price in life quality due to this disaster of an experiment.”

The resident is now keen to see the speed limit on the road reduced from 30 to 20mph and a weight limit added – with heavy vehicles only gaining access for deliveries to homeowners.

“That all seems common sense to me but we just seem to be some experimental plaything for the ARA and the council,”the resident continued.

“I honestly can’t understand how they can justify adding a double-decker bus route that goes up and down approximately 150 times a week, contradicting the very reason for this expensive installation.

“All I’m asking them to do is simply re-route the bus, not adding to the flow of traffic they are allegedly trying to reduce, and put other measures in place that surely should have been implemented with the traffic calming installation at the time.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach West Scotland said:“The 97 service between

Ayr town centre and Craig Tara Holiday Park is an hourly service operating from 7.30am until 8pm.

“The service is essential for both employees and tourists travelling to and from the holiday park.

“This route has been selected to incorporate the village of Alloway to allow tourists easy access to historical sites such as Burns Cottage.”

Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) said it “currently has no plans to remove the traffic calming on Longhill Avenue or reduce the speed limit further”.

An ARA spokesperson added:“The traffic calming measures successfully reduced the average speed of vehicles within this area.

“The area will continue to be monitored and if necessary, the Alliance will organise a speed survey and liaise with colleagues from Police Scotland.”

McTaggart and Mickel did not respond to request for comment.