‘Tragedy waiting to happen’

Dangerous: Residents fear school junction is putting children’ s lives at risk

Villagers have pleaded for action to improve safety at a problem junction next to an Aberdeenshire school, which they say is endangering the lives of children.

Residents living on School Road, beside Kintore Primary, say changes must be put in place soon to challenge the speeding motorists disregarding the rules of the road on a daily basis.

Locals say they regularly spot drivers hurtling down the stretch at excessive speeds – despite a zebra crossing with Belisha beacons, a crossing guard and a temporary 20mph limit in place to protect children making their way to and from lessons.

Aberdeenshire Council officers are currently considering a number of measures which could be introduced to force motorists to slow down, following a meeting of the local authority’s infrastructure committee in August.

Father-of-two Peter Black, who lives next to the school, said intervention is crucial to prevent people being seriously hurt.

“They’re not even close to the 30mph limit. I’ve seen someone going at least 60mph,” he said.

“Anything will help – before there’s another accident.”

Meanwhile one of his neighbours, who did not wish to be named, said: “The biggest problem is when it gets busy here.

“We have a lollipop lady but the cars do come through at a fair rate.

“There’s a lot of big trucks and buses as well.

“It’s a worry, and there’s no doubt in my mind it’s just an accident waiting to happen.”

Councillor Martin Ford, who first raised the issue with the Garioch Area Committee in June alongside fellow East Garioch councillors Fergus Hood and Glen Reid, said he was “disappointed” the infrastructure committee ruled out a permanent 20mph restriction at its meeting in August.

However, he said he’s keen to consider other traffic calming measures for the road, which the infrastructure committee agreed to provide a report on for the Garioch Area Committee at a later date.

He said: “I’m pleased there will be traffic calming considered, but I would have absolutely preferred a permanent 20mph.

“Nevertheless, additional traffic calming should help for what is a very real problem.

“Nobody wants an accident or worse happen to a child.

“Breaking the speed limit is breaking the law, and individual drivers are responsible for their own actions, so I would ask people to adhere to the speed limit.” to

Photograph by Kath Flannery PROTECT: A crossing guard on School Road, Kintore, near Kintore Primary School.