MSP suppports A9 safety calls

EASTER Ross campaigners warning that lives will be lost if action isn’t taken to dramatically improve safety at accident blackspot junctions on the A9 have won the support of another MSP.

Transport Scotland chief Hugh Gillies has been warned by community representatives in Tain that problems with Tain’s A9 bypass junctions "will inevitably lead to someone being killed" if action isn’t taken.

Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant has now written to Transport Scotland’s chief executive asking what action will be taken to allay the community’s safety concerns.

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 publicity about 11 accidents at the Tain Asda junction, recently labelled 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 has said studies have been undertaken and are being analysed but warned that changes such as a reduction in the speed limit in the area affected could take a year — a scenario slammed as "unacceptable" by the local community council.

The area’s MSP Gail Ross and MP Jamie Stone have also signalled their concern.

A Scottish Transport spokesman yesterday told the Journal: "An initial road safety review of the A9/B9174 Tain junctions in 2017 revealed there was no clear accident pattern that could be addressed.

"Extensive on-site observations have been undertaken with video surveys subsequently commissioned and reviewed to identify any issues which could be contributing to accident risk. The findings from these will be fed into the on-going options investigation study, which is expected to report in the autumn of 2018 on ways to improve the junctions to help reduce the risk of accidents.

"Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and we understand the concerns of the community. We have undertaken to update stakeholders on progress and would like to take this opportunity to reassure the community that the A9 at Tain remains a trunk road safety priority."

In 2015 Transport Scotland’s operating company for the region, Bear, carried out a number of works on the A9 at the Tain north junction, including new signing, extended central hatching and high friction surfacing on the local road approach to the A9.

Have you been involved in an accident or near miss in the area? What do you think should be done? Share your views by emailing newsdesk@spp-group.com