They’re just zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom: Cars ‘going as fast as Starship Enterprise’ on Shebster straight
Cars have been racing along the back road between Thurso and Reay at speeds reminiscent of the Starship Enterprise, it has been claimed.
The comparison with the fast-moving fictional spacecraft from the TV and film series Star Trek was made by a concerned resident who lives close to the Shebster straight.
She has noticed an increasing problem with speeding drivers near her home since the temporary deployment of average speed cameras on a notorious section of the A836 – the main road west of Thurso, and part of the North Coast 500 route.
The A836 deployment began in early September and has now ended. Workers have been seen this week removing the camera system.
The Shebster resident, who asked not to be named, is convinced that installing the four cameras alongside the A836 merely shifted the issue of irresponsible driving from one road to another.
“All it has done is shove the problem from the NC500 onto this little B-road which isn’t wide enough for two cars in places, let alone cars and lorries,” she said.
“It has become more and more of a problem. Over the past couple of weeks there have been two vehicles off the road on this straight.
“Admittedly the weather wasn’t good, but the road had been cleared. There was no problem with the road – it was just people driving too fast.
“It has definitely become worse since the cameras were installed.
“We came back from Thurso one day last week or the week before, doing close on 60 mph, which is the speed limit, and we were overtaken four times on this piece of road between Thurso and Shebster by cars that were going like the Starship Enterprise.
“They’re past you and they’re gone, and this particular straight seems to be their favourite bit.
“It’s worse in the morning, from about seven o’ clock through until nine, and also in the afternoon at leaving-off time. But there have been times during the day when they’re just zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom, constantly.
“The other problem is the amount of HGVs that are thundering past on this road. That has increased considerably.
“They’re using this back road as their main way through to Reay, rather than use the NC500.”
The woman pointed out: “Since I’ve been talking to you, I’ve had three HGVs going past the window [in the space of a three-minute phone conversation]. They are using it considerably, and the speeds they are going at – in a vehicle that would wipe out cars, people, houses – are absolutely ridiculous.
“Westfield Bridge was built in the 1850s. Was it ever designed to take the volume of HGVs that are using it?”
The woman has been in contact with Councillor Matthew Reiss, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness on Highland Council.
“Like I said to Matthew, all we’re waiting for now is for somebody to die on this road,” she added.
“I was talking to a chap who likes to walk along the road and up the hill and he says you’re just taking your life in your hands every time you go out onto the road.”
Transport Scotland announced in June that there would be four camera columns – one at a site east of Reay, one at Forss, another near Brims Hill and one just to the west of Thurso.
Police Scotland’s North Safety Camera Unit, working in partnership with the Scottish Safety Camera Programme and Highland Council, identified the area “as having speed concerns and increased traffic volumes”.
The aim was that the cameras would operate “this summer and continue until traffic levels return to post-summer volumes”, although delays with the installation meant they did not go live until the start of September.
The locations chosen for the cameras led to a suggestion that the deployment was a “missed opportunity”.
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “The Temporary Average Speed System (TASC) deployed on the A836 was installed during peak season, taking targeted action to improve driver behaviours, reduce speeds and ultimately lead to a reduction in those being killed and seriously injured on Scotland’s road network.
“The scheme was scheduled to end in the autumn. We are currently reviewing the data from the trial but early indications suggest a significant improvement in driving behaviour.
“The TASC scheme is a first in Scotland and the UK to tackle short-term road safety concerns. As an off-grid system, it can be deployed in locations previously difficult to reach where speed is a road safety concern.
“The TASC system will hopefully become a regular road safety feature on Scotland’s remote or rural roads.”
When told of Traffic Scotland’s comment about seeking to reduce speeds by deploying cameras, the Shebster resident said: “Well, I would suggest they come and put them on this road, then.”
