Claims traffic safety work in Carrbridge has created greater danger
There are claims a controversial change to Carrbridge’s main thoroughfare has taken place without any local consultation and created a hazard for motorists.
The widening of the pavement on Main Street came as a big surprise to many residents.
But they can no longer say the works are an accident waiting to happen - as one occurred within a few days of the new addition.
Resident David Mackenzie said: “The traffic calming measure has been installed in the Main Street but there are no signs or road markings to say the road has been reduced to single traffic.
“We’ve already had one car hit the bollard and now have concerns for the children walking on this new pavement.
“I’ve put a cone in front of the reduced area as it is better that motorists hit this.”
Residents said contractors Compass just appeared one morning ‘out of the blue’ recently and started to construct the build-out.
There is concern about the traffic hold-ups there might be when cars, lorries, buses etc are diverted through Carrbridge because of accidents on the A9.
There is already understood to be some annoyance too at the 20mph limit for the whole of the Main Street.
The narrow section of pavement along Carrbridge’s main street has long been a concern to a number of local residents especially those with children.
But several locals who have approached the Strathy said this design does nothing to solve the problem.
Resident John Walker, who lives opposite the works, said: “What also appears to be happening is that traffic is speeding up to get through the zone and not giving way as intended.
“It’s not calming or slowing traffic - in fact it is quite the opposite.
“And since one bollard has already been hit, why paint them black when a brighter colour would have been more obvious?
“The only benefit is to the increasing pedestrian traffic heading into the village from the south, along the east side pavement.”
A Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) spokeswoman explained the background to the works.
She said: “The widening of the pavement in front of Kinchyle House on the main street in Carrbridge was a condition of the planning permission issued by the park authority for the redevelopment of the Struan Hotel to affordable housing by Highland Council.
“The condition was a requirement of the council’s transport planning team and the details for the widening were approved by the park authority once the council’s transport planning team confirmed they were satisfied with them.
“The widening of the footpath must meet Highland Council’s standards and the road and pavement are part of the council’s adopted road network, so while the park authority will be monitoring compliance with the consent and conditions, we will require the advice of the council’s transport planning team as the technical experts on this part of the consent.”
A Highland Council spokesman said: “Through consideration of the planning application by the CNPA it became apparent localised widening of the pavement was necessary.
“This was secured by condition, the details for which were approved by the CNPA following confirmation from the council as roads authority.”
