Road safety problem at Thurso nursery could be solved after local Highland Council election
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A BID is to be made to resolve a road safety issue near a Thurso nursery after next week's Highland Council elections.
That was agreed after mothers, Lesley Tait and Ann Miller-Livingstone updated local community councillors over their concerns about the speeding traffic at Lovers Lane which borders the Miller Academy primary school and nursery.
The road has no speed limit signs at present, although it is part of the Safer Routes to School initiative. It had a 30mph limit, which was due to be reduced to 20mph last year as a temporary measure due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that did not happen. The 30mph sign has now been taken down, leaving that section of road at risk of speeding traffic, say the mothers.
They point out that a vehicle has gone through the wall alongside the nursery and are worried about the dangers to children and other people who use the road. They also claim there is increased traffic in that area of the town and are worried about the potential for accidents there.
Mrs Miller-Livingstone, speaking at Tuesday night's meeting, said she had been informed there had been two accidents in Lovers Lane in the last 10 years but a Freedom of Information request to Police Scotland revealed there were what was described as 22 "traffic incidents and other police matters" at the location since 2007.
The campaigners would like "some form of barrier", a fence or speed bumps installed to address the problem but were told fruit trees would be planted in the nursery grounds to stop children going up to the wall area.
"We feel we have hit a brick wall and would like some support to try and get something done about this problem," she said.
Retiring Thurso and northwest Highland councillor, Donnie Mackay, said 20mph speed limits will "be coming in very shortly" while community councillor, Gill Arrowsmith, felt an approach to the school and the education department may be the way forward. Fellow community councillor, James Campbell, said a barrier on the other side of the road would keep the public and the children safe.
Community council chairman, Ron Gunn, suggested raising the issue again after next week's local council elections. Secretary Thelma Mackenzie said it might be an idea for the four newly-elected Thurso Highland councillors to meet with the head teacher and the campaigners to see if the problem could be resolved.
"That could be a way forward," said Mr Gunn.
Mrs Tait and Mrs Miller-Livingstone gave their support to the proposal.
Later, a member of the public expressed concern about the safety barrier at the Princes Street entrance to the nursery and felt it should be higher and longer than it is but was told it was only a temporary measure.
