DRIVERS BEWARE
Villagers unite to take on road menaces
Villagers in Mid Calder have launched a campaign to get speeding drivers to slow down.
Organisers have started a petition urging West Lothian Council to turn busy parts of the village into 20mph zones over fears that children are not safe crossing the road.
Members of Mid Calder Community Council are also pressing for a lollipop person to help youngsters cross.
Secretary Eleanor Blair said: “At our meeting concerns were once again raised regarding speeding in the village.
“There is no longer a school crossing patrol person in the village at the corner of Main Street and Market Street.
“The last lady left citing insults and abuse she received from dangerous, careless drivers who thought that they owned the road and could go at any speed they liked as the reason.
“It was therefore agreed that the community council would start a petition to hand to both West Lothian Council and the police in favour of Main Street and Market Street being made 20mph zones.
“Myself and another community council member manned the crossing for the children going to school. The speed of the traffic was horrendous and we observed at least 28 vehicles driving dangerously fast.
“This included two mini-buses and a bin lorry and one driver using a mobile phone.
“I returned again – and again the speed of the cars was dangerous.
“I have also looked at the traffic when the children are coming home from school in the afternoon and again it is no better, in fact the cars seem to be going even faster.”
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council said the authority had acknowledged the concerns of Mid Calder residents and had undertaken an analysis to determine if there is a speed-related accident problem.
He said: “In the last five years, there have been no accidents where inappropriate speed was recorded as a contributory factor.
“The presence of a right angled corner at Market Street and Bank Street should help reduce speeds to a moderate level.
“We will continue to monitor road safety at Market Street and consider road safety measures as issues arise.”
He added: “We have been actively trying to recruit a permanent school crossing patrol guide for this location since the previous guide left in September 2015.
“Anyone interested should contact us on 01506 777539 or email FMServices@westlothian.gov.uk.
“The issue of driver behaviour at this location has been raised by patrol guides and we would urge all motorists to respect the vital role played by patrol guides.”