Plan to improve road safety near Castletown play park takes step forward
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A bid to improve road safety near a busy play park in Castletown has taken a step forward with "a range of potential solutions" being considered.
Campaigners Donna Kirk and Emma Manson met with Ross Bartlett from Highland Council's roads safety team and local councillor Karl Rosie.
Initially, the women, who set up the Castletown Crossing Campaign, wanted a zebra crossing installed on the Main Street to improve the safety for the youngsters using the nearby the play park, but they are happy to look at other options to make it safer for youngsters to get to the park.
"We are delighted to have had a very successful meeting with councillor Rosie and Ross Bartlett who explained that zebra crossings, unfortunately, do not force drivers to slow down and can, after being in situ for a while, cause complacency with both drivers and pedestrians. We have discussed various engineered solutions," said Mrs Kirk on behalf of the group.
A number of options are being considered, including road narrowing at the east end of the village and installation of a Priority Give Way near the play park entrance as well as additional road safety markings, repositioning of the existing safety barriers and the erection of road signs to the east and west of the play park. Further traffic monitoring would take place after these measures are introduced.
On Trail Street, which runs parallel with the Main Street, the access to the play park would be redesigned and there would be road safety signs and additional safety markings. The design proposals would be subject to statutory consultation, it was stated.
Mrs Kirk, the mother of two young children, said: "In the coming weeks we hope to issue a questionnaire from the safer routes to school initiative where the parents of the village can highlight any further concerns."
She added: "We cannot express our thanks enough to councillor Rosie. His help and guidance has allowed us to get the ball rolling very quickly. His continued support as we move through the different stages from design to completion is something we are extremely grateful for. Karl is helping us develop a safer village in Castletown.
"We also wish to thank Ross Bartlett for taking the time to listen to our concerns, take on board our wishes and help us move forward with a plan with lots of different measures which will, hopefully, enhance the safety of our main street.
"We pointed out many residents and our concerns about Traill Street that Ross has now incorporated into the plan."
