Rise in traffic sparks call for a crossing at Arbroath’s Westway

Increase in traffic due to retail park’s success leaves community concerned about children crossing busy road

The volume of traffic at Arbroath’s western gateway has spurred the local community to push for a crossing for families on foot.

Westway retail park serves motorists coming in to town from the A92 and counts a busy supermarket, two fast food restaurants, a pet shop and DIY store, among an expanding business community.

The park’s success has come at the cost of clogging up the western approach at peak times of day.

Members of the community have expressed concerns over the safety of children heading towards west end schools like Timmergreens, Muirfield and Ladyloan primaries.

A petition to introduce a method of safe crossing was started by Duncan Young, and has nearly attracted its 300-signature target.

“I would like them to improve the crossing at the Westway retail park in Arbroath by putting a pedestrian crossing opposite the entrance,” he commented.

The petition came to the attention of local councillor Derek Wann, who said Angus Council is aware of safety concerns and is considering a way forward for both a crossing and a means to get traffic moving.

“I am fully aware of the need for a safe crossing at the Westway,” he said.

“This has been raised again to me by the community and I can assure them that I will be pushing as hard as I can to ensure that a crossing is made priority.”

Councillor Wann said the council’s roads department commissioned a full traffic study for the Westway to assess issues related to access to and from the retail park.

The study also looked at pedestrian access and cycling access.

“In short, the assessment confirmed that there is sufficient pedestrian movement on the Westway to justify a light-controlled crossing,” he said.

“Concerns were also highlighted in the assessment regards delays to vehicles exiting the park and with various aspects of the mini-roundabout on the A92.

“Angus Council are currently in the process of compiling a full design and costing for the proposals taken from the traffic assessment and the intention is to submit a report to the Communities committee in due course with proposals.”

Thereis sufficient pedestrian movement on the Westway to justify a lightcontrolled crossing. COUNCILLOR DEREK WANN

Picture: Kris Miller. Councillor Derek Wann at the busy junction.