Independent road safety audit to be undertaken at controversial road crossing in Castletown
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A Caithness councillor is delighted an independent road safety audit is to be carried out at a controversial crossing in Castletown.
Matthew Reiss, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness ward representative, has been told by Highland Council's roads department that the audit will be undertaken – although no timescale has yet been given.
"I am pleased it is going ahead and hope it will get under way sooner rather than later. There's not a day to lose. I just wish the Castletown community council had been listened to and a pelican crossing similar to the one at Watten had been installed on the Main Street. What is there at the moment is not safe," he said.
Mr Reiss pointed out that his misgivings about the Castletown crossing crossing are increasing.
"The bollards have been hit at least three times. They are the size of a small child. Some drivers seem not to understand how to drive through the pinch point. I am not an expert but am seriously concerned at what I am seeing on the ground and reading online," he added.
Ron Gunn, who also represents the Thurso and Northwest Caithness ward, said: "I am not sure what this audit entails but welcome anything that takes in the concerns of local people, the community council and councillors.
"There have been accidents there and the bollards have been run over. There is a lot of concern about the crossing. I feel it is not an appropriate type of crossing for the Main Street and I am not alone in that view.
"There is a similar crossing in Dornoch but it has better signage and better markings on the road, but there is still no requirement for the traffic to stop as would be the case with a zebra crossing. Pedestrians need to feel safe crossing the road," added Mr Gunn, who chairs Highland Council's Caithness committee.
Castletown and District Community Council chairman Billy Dunbar welcomed the independent audit but said he does not know what it involves. "I have no details in any shape or form but I am happy it is getting done and hope it can resolve this issue," he said.
The community council is in favour of road safety measures but opposed the crossing on the Main Street as it felt it was the wrong solution. It also claimed problems would be caused for emergency services, lorries and farm vehicles.
Mr Dunbar said a pelican crossing would have been a better solution. He would also like to see measures to deter speeding drivers at the Thurso, Wick and Dunnet entrances to the village.
Iain Gregory, the co-founder of Caithness Roads Recovery and a former senior police officer, said: "Clearly, the safety of our children is the absolute priority. Unfortunately, the current traffic calming measures do not, in my view, enhance road safety, but actually increase the chances of an accident occurring. I think further accidents are almost inevitable without action."
He added: "I do hope that action can be taken swiftly, the current pinch point removed and a proper crossing installed to ensure the safety of all road users."
The Castletown crossing was installed by Highland Council after concerns were raised over the safety of children and parents trying to cross the road on the Main Street to get to the play park, but following a number of accidents and near misses calls have been made for an urgent review.
Highland Council was contacted for a comment but has not responded. It previously said traffic volumes on Main Street did not meet the requirements for a formal controlled crossing.
The crossing was expected to be discussed at last night's meeting of the Castletown and District Community Council.
