Villagers get speed guns to take aim at too-fast motorists

Communities on the border of Angus and Perthshire will be handed speed guns to check on motorists racing through their village.

A team of volunteers in Meigle have secured council funding for a speed watch scheme as they brace themselves for a predicted 25% increase in traffic when the new Cross Tay Link Road is built.

Any drivers caught by residents will be recorded and referred to police with repeat offenders facing prosecution.

The community council has secured £2,350 from Perth and Kinross Council’s Community Investment Fund to pay for detection devices, high-visibility vests and signs.

The scheme will also extend to nearby Ardler, where similar concerns have been raised.

Bob Ellis, chairman of the watchdog group, said: “This is very important for the area, particularly as we have been told to expect an increase in traffic of between 20% and 25% once the Cross Tay Link Road is in operation.

“That is a very concerning prospect for the village and we want to be prepared for it. We suspect a lot of traffic is still moving through the village above the 30mph limit and the Community Speed Watch plan will help us gather evidence.

“We already have a team of about 10 or 12 volunteers who are ready to get out on the streets with their yellow vests on.”

Concerns were first raised by east Perthshire residents about the impact of the new link road – connecting the A9 with the A93 and A94 north of Scone – in 2016.

The £113 million project is designed to take traffic out of Perth city centre, alleviating congestion and reducing worryingly high levels of air pollution.

While the scheme has been broadly welcomed, locals predicted it could create rat runs in villages like Meigle, Coupar Angus, Burrelton and Balbeggie that sit on the A94.

Last year, Perth and Kinross Council confirmed a package of road safety measures for Meigle after a plea from villagers.

Councillors approved the project yesterday as part of a £330,000 investment.