Speed camera checks stepped up at Forss as councillor tells of 'appalling' incidents
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Moves to increase the frequency of speed checks at Forss and other locations in Caithness have been welcomed by a Highland councillor who says he has been appalled by some of the unsafe driving he has witnessed.
Councillor Matthew Reiss has been assured that the North Safety Camera Unit will be stepping up its presence on the A836 following concerns raised by Forss Campaign Group.
The group was launched at the end of 2021 in response to long-running fears over the speed of some traffic on the Forss straight. The road is used by motorists travelling to and from Dounreay and Vulcan, and is part of the North Coast 500.
Councillor Reiss, a former area police commander, admits that some incidents have "made me wish I was a police officer again".
Eric Dunion, area manager of the North Safety Camera Unit, confirmed that the speed van was on site at Forss on Monday of last week. In an email to Councillor Reiss he indicated that visits will be "much more regular" by Easter, adding: "Hopefully the van will be a regular sight throughout the summer."
Councillor Reiss said: “This is only one part of the solution – but I'm thankful that there is now positive action taking place."
He went on: “Some people have made disparaging comments about camera partnership vans, and I think it has been a valid criticism that at times they have been parked where the perception of the public is that it's not a particularly hazardous area and it appears to be a revenue-gathering exercise.
“Feedback from many years, both as a police officer and now as a councillor, from community councils and from members of the public, is that people dearly would have liked to have seen the camera van in the villages in the county, next to schools. There is no doubt that if it is deployed in those areas it is a deterrent.
“I'm absolutely delighted, and slightly surprised, that the recent requests that have been made by myself and others to get the van deployed at the Forss straight have quite suddenly – after literally years of trying – come to fruition.
“If people are obeying the speed limit, they have nothing to fear. If they're a parent or a grandparent, this will improve the safety of the children and the elderly and actually every road user.
“I have personally witnessed people overtaking at high speed right past School Place [adjacent to the Forss straight]. I found it absolutely appalling and made me wish I was a police officer again.
“For that minority who are travelling at really high speeds, if the camera van catches them then so be it. I think 98 per cent of the travelling public will be pleased to see them taken off the road if their speed is ridiculously high.
“I've been asking for improvements on the Forss straight for probably seven or eight years and recently, with the formation of this group, there has been a new impetus.
“I'm particularly grateful to the manager who has had a fresh look at this and now come up with a concrete undertaking to frankly improve road safety on the A836.”
Councillor Reiss explained that the matter had been raised at meetings of Dounreay Stakeholder Group, Caithness West Community Council and Thurso Community Council. “There is no dissenting voice – everybody knows there's a problem there," he said.
“It's important to say that it's a reckless small minority. The recent accidents at Forss have shown that local people's concerns have been unfortunately proven absolutely right.
“There seems to be a particular problem when Dounreay and Vulcan traffic is travelling on the road. I would urge that tiny number who are overtaking at high speed down the straight: is it really worth your licence or someone else's life just to save a few seconds?"
He added: “I think the best thing would be a double white line down the centre of the Forss straight because that makes enforcement very easy for the police.”
In his email, Mr Dunion said he hoped the van would also be present elsewhere on the A836, at Reay, Dunnet and Murkle.
Councillor Reiss wants to ensure that Castletown is on the list too. “In discussions with the community council last year there was a general desire to see the camera van in the centre of Castletown next to the play area,” he said.
In addition to Councillor Reiss, Forss Campaign Group comprises Highland councillor Struan Mackie, community councillors Ron Gunn, Thelma Mackenzie (both Thurso) and David Craig (Caithness West) and Iain Gregory of Caithness Roads Recovery.
Councillor Mackie said: "I welcome the camera van deployment at problem locations along the A836 where residents and road users have repeatedly stressed the need for a deterrent to curtail speeding and dangerous driving.
"Having been passing the area last week and seen the partnership carrying out speed checks first-hand, it is clear that the presence of the van is altering driver behaviour."
Last week the group warned that speeding drivers were creating an "intolerable" and "unacceptable" situation for Forss residents.
Action has been taken to improve the road condition and install new kerbing. The group now wants to see speed controls and signage put in place and the creation of a "village gateway" to underline to motorists that they are entering a residential area.
A survey carried out by Highland Council from July 9-17 last year revealed that 89 vehicles a day passed through Forss at speeds in excess of 70 mph. The village is currently subject to a 60 mph limit.
Related stories:
- Speeding drivers creating 'intolerable' and 'unacceptable' situation for Forss residents
- Campaigners warn Forss traffic accident rate is 'disproportionately high'
- Dounreay has a duty to be 'part of the solution' to Forss road safety concerns
