Tain 'relying on luck' over junction delays

A SENIOR Scottish Government official has been asked to "take ownership" of a major road safety issue in Easter Ross "before our luck runs out".

Councillor Derek Louden has made the direct appeal to the new Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson, in the wake of renewed concerns about two A9 junctions with the Tain by-pass.

Cllr Louden, who represents Tain and Easter Ross on Highland Council, made his remarks after campaigners stepped up demands following a string of accidents and near misses at junctions close to the town’s Asda and Lidl branches.

He told the North Star: "I’ve written to Michael Matheson asking for him to take ownership of the issue. I’ve also written to Transport Scotland again following feedback from them.

"I stressed to Michael Matheson that I hoped Transport Scotland’s role was to keep people safe on the roads and not to keep roads safe from the changes people want. I hope to hear back from him soon. I’m concerned that they are offering cameras but won’t consider a reduction in speed. Sooner or later our luck will run out."

His warning came as Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant became the latest politician to weigh in to the issue.

The Labour MSP was contacted by constituents who told her that "nearly every week an incident happens" on the A9 outside Tain at the Asda and Lidl junctions.

She has highlighted publicly about 11 accidents at the Tain Asda junction, recently described as one of the worst A9 blackspots.

She has asked transport chief Roy Brannen about progress with traffic studies at these junctions and when those findings will be published and what action Transport Scotland is taking to improve safety there.

She said: "From what I’ve been told, the community are anxious to avoid a serious accident or a fatality at these junctions and the statistics certainly prove that they have got a very good point. We will soon be coming into the winter months when driving conditions are more perilous, so it would be good to know what the transport agency proposes to make these junctions safer."

Transport Scotland says an initial road safety review of the A9/B9174 Tain junctions revealed there was "no clear accident pattern that could be addressed" but that video surveys subsequently commissioned "will be fed into the ongoing options investigation study" expected to report this autumn "on ways to improve the junctions to help reduce the risk of accidents".

It states that "road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and we understand the concerns of the community" and will provide updates on its deliberations.