Castletown and Noss are to get traffic calming measures near their primary schools in a bid to encourage confidence in active travel for pupils amid road safety concerns but multiple objections claim the changes 'would reduce safety, not increase it'
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The Caithness committee has approved two traffic calming measures for Noss and Castletown amid a mixed response from the public.
The measures are funded by the Scottish Government safer routes to school programme which aims to increase the number of pupils using sustainable transport.
More from the Caithness Area Committee:
- First review of Thurso's conservation area for 45 years bids to preserve Old St Peter's Church despite new boundary excluding the mediaeval quarter
- Thurso's 20mph limit to become permanent after Caithness councillors agree new zone
Noss and Castletown primaries highlighted traffic speed and crossing issues as areas of concern for parents and carers who consider it a barrier to allowing their kids to cycle or walk to school.
Castletown resident: 'I fear for my children'
Castletown drew the strongest public response both for and against plans to place two pinch points on Main Street to slow traffic, make crossings more visible and shorter.
One would be located near the playground based on a priority give way system. The second would narrow the carriageway between Calders Lane and Gunns Lane but will keep two lanes of traffic.
Objectors claimed there is no need for the measures, which many felt would reduce safety, not increase it, by either increasing congestion or offloading traffic onto the two parallel minor roads through the village. They also spoke of potential delays and increased road safety hazards while some felt traffic may speed up to pass the narrowing, making crossing more difficult.
Those backing the proposals repeatedly mentioned the safety of children and other vulnerable road users in the area with fears about NC500 traffic as well as what was called “poor experience as a motorist and pedestrian” there.
One person said that as a father: “I fear for my children crossing that road for the swing park, shop or school. Increasing the pavement width will increase the visibility of all pedestrians and I can’t see how that could ever be undesirable.”
Objector: better to spend the money on potholes
Meanwhile, Noss Primary School also raised concerns about speeding vehicles and a subsequent survey which showed some vehicle speeds were higher than desirable, so traffic calming measures were proposed.
The plans, backed by Police Scotland, involve speed cushions and raised tables with some junction realignments centred around Henrietta Street and Willowbank as the two main routes pupils need to cross on the school journey.
There was one objection from a member of the public which stated that given the state of roads in the county and the likely cost involved the move was a waste of money.
Council leader says this is not pothole cash
Councillor Raymond Bremner said: “The main thing is to improve safety in those areas – but let’s put this on record, this is not money that would ever have been spent on roads.
“The thing is that when we do get this kind of money from government to support these kinds of projects it is welcome in all sorts of ways because not only do we have a solution that will be beneficial to the surrounding area, but it will also allow us to supplement any improvements that will go on pavements.
“Lord knows it is precious enough trying to get enough money for the roads which is the same pot of money to fix our pavements.”
