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Bad drivers get the hump in Wick





It is hoped the speed bumps will deter 'boy racers'.
It is hoped the speed bumps will deter 'boy racers'.

SPEED bumps are to be installed outside the Norseman Hotel in Wick in a bid to crack down on the “cultural scourge” of antisocial drivers plaguing guests and staff there.

The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council voted in favour on Monday night of putting in three of the traffic calming measures to try and deter boy racers from speeding past the hostelry.

Owner of the hotel Andrew Mackay was present once again at the meeting, having previously appealed several times to the community council, the Highland Council and Northern Constabulary for help in resolving the matter – which he said was only going to end up with someone getting hurt.

Mr Mackay told the Caithness Courier yesterday that he was delighted a solution was going to be implemented on a temporary basis.

“Whether it solves the problem or not, nobody knows but we won’t know until we try it,” said the hotelier. “It was a healthy debate at the community council meeting which I thought was very balanced and the outcome of trying this on a trial basis is a very positive move.

“If it’s not the solution at least we can cross it off the list.”

Ward manager David Sutherland said yesterday that the local authority hopes to have the speed bumps in place in around a week to 10 days.

One will be installed at the entrance to the car park, one outside the Norseman’s front door and a third beside the exit to the car park.

Mr Sutherland mentioned during the discussion on Monday night that speed bumps originally installed at the Riverside in Thurso, that were now in storage, could be used at the site.

Many of the members thought it would be worth a try, however, Councillor Graeme Smith argued that it was absurd that the community council, which regularly complains and receive complaints about potholes, was willing to have speed bumps put in. He said more active policing or a properly engineered solution, such as a chicane, would be a better option, something that fellow councillor Bill Fernie thought may be a good idea due to the wear and tear that the bumps would cause vehicles.

Mr Smith said the entire town should not be disadvantaged due to “15 or so culprits” responsible for antisocial driving, adding that the local police had impounded two or three cars in the past few weeks for such offences.

Yesterday Mr Mackay said he did not wish to disadvantage anyone in the town but wanted to rid Wick of the “cultural scourge” of antisocial drivers.

“It affects a lot of businesses in the town at night. It just happens to be they congregate outside ours,” he said. “The arguments against the idea were as valid as the ones for it. All we are looking for is a solution. Only time will tell if this is it.”

Mr Mackay praised the support he has received from local police, the local authority and the community council in helping with the problem.


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