Speeding cars in Castletown will kill somebody, says local businessman
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A FATALITY is going to happen if nothing is done to deal with cars speeding through Castletown. That is the worry of a local businessman who aired his concerns at the latest virtual meeting of the community council.
Mark Thorn, who runs a bed and breakfast business in the village, said it is "really dangerous" trying to cross Main Street because of speeding cars and other traffic.
He said there has been four accidents recently as cars try to come out of Murrayfield on to the main road. " Will it take a child to be killed before anything gets done," he asked.
Mr Thorn, who has been in Castletown for three years, said there is little to stop these drivers speeding. "A lot of villages have traffic calming measures but we have nothing," he stated.
He claimed the vehicles are being driven at excessive speeds and said some of the car exhausts are "completely illegal".
"These speeding cars are going to kill somebody," added Mr Thorn.
Community council chairman, Billy Dunbar, agreed there is a problem and said it seems to have become worse in the past two to three years but he stressed that people are "trying to get things done."
Traffic management projects are being looked along with measures under the Safer Routes to Schools initiative in an attempt to try and slow down the traffic. "It is a very busy road," said Mr Dunbar.
He said young boys often get the blame for speeding but said young girls are also driving fast. "The girls are every bit as bad as the boys. It beggars belief," stated the chairman.
Mr Dunbar said the police and Highland Council need to help address the issue and pointed out there were no representatives from either body at the meeting.
The community council has complained in the past about the lack of police and Highland councillors at their meetings and would like to see that improved.
It was pointed out that a request for speed bumps on the main road was turned down as they would adversely affect the emergency services.
Speeding cars should be reported to the police, it was stressed.
Mr Thorn said he would take the matter up with the police while Mr Dunbar is going to contact Highland Council for an update on measures to slow the traffic on Main Street.
Later, community councillors agreed to send a letter to Dr Wilma McLeod who is retiring from the Canisbay and Castletown Medical Practice after more than two decades service.
Members want to thank her for her many years of work and wish her a long and happy retirement.
