Road result delights Langside campaigners

I can think of no other village in Scotland that would have a treasure trove such as this

Perth and Kinross Council has said it will install new warning signs near a dangerous bend on the B827 between Comrie and Braco.

Locals have been calling for better signage on the Langside road to warn motorists of one impending blackspot in particular.

Farmer Mairi Paterson has to regularly repair the fence between Tigh Na Blair and Middleton after cars go straight through it, because of either taking the corner too quickly or skidding in cold weather – a problem that is further exacerbated in winter and when drains get choked.

Mairi checks the fence along its length daily to see that it has not been breached, allowing livestock into the road, but is concerned that if something is not done soon a serious accident could occur.

Comrie Community Council wrote to Perth and Kinross Council, which is responsible for the stretch of road, asking for better signs as well as lines on the road approaching the bad bend to give drivers plenty of warning. They also flagged up other issues elsewhere on the rural road.

And, at the latest meeting of Comrie Community Council, held on Thursday last week, chair Gillian Brock was pleased to read out a response from PKC which said that local authority officials would be looking into “beefing up the signage” and also looking at new barrier locations. They intimated that anything that has been hit would also be repaired.

Mrs Brock said: “I have a good rapport with PKC but was delighted with such an immediate response to our request.

“And some other things are in the pipeline as well, including the junction as you enter Comrie from the Langside at the top of Dalginross. I have asked for better signage and lineage there as often people drive straight over not realising who has right of way.”

With regard to the bad bend on Langside road, a Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson told the Herald: “The council will assess the site and install new warning signs approaching and around the bend to warn drivers of the potential hazard.”

Regarding drainage issues, the local authority spokesperson continued: “It is the landowner’s responsibility to prevent water running from fields onto the road. We do, however, take responsibility for getting rainwater off rural roads, and this is achieved through off-lets cut into the verge and French drains, which are channels at the side of the road filled with stones.

“There is also a road drain on this stretch of road, which was inspected on January 27, and is in good working order

“The B827 is inspected every three months to identify any defects and have them repaired.”