Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has written to Transport Scotland and Transport Minister Keith Brown to raise safety issues on the A87.

Dave attended a public meeting where a quarter of the Breakish population attended to hear local concerns over the road.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “The section of the A87 at Breakish does not have a pavement and is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists and also causes difficulties for motorists. Improvements to this road were started many years ago but the final phases were not followed through.

“I think it is now time to complete these improvements and build a pavement to ensure the safety of all who use this dangerous road.

The lack of a pavement at the A87 at Breakish mean that there is no safe pedestrian access to Breakish Hall, local businesses or the bus stop. The road is flanked by unprotected drops into ditches, and due to the local geography there are a number of blind summits which present a safety hazard.

While there has been a commitment to some short term improvements, including better signage, cutting back trees and shrubs, laying double white lines and filling some ditches, Dave remains convinced that a more complete solution is required.

“Public safety will not be adequately secured until the A87 at Breakish has a pavement. At present the trunk road does not meet Transport Scotland’s criteria and standards, and there have been a number of accidents and even fatalities over the years.

“I am writing to Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to make the case for the A87 pavement at Breakish being made a priority, and for a permanent solution to be in place as soon as possible.

Note:

Copy of Dave’s letter.

Dear David

Breakish Road Safety – A87

I attended a public meeting with Bob Mitchell, Area Manager North (Trunk Toads and Bus Operations) in Breakish Hall last Friday, 15 March, which was attended by around 100 residents, a quarter of the population, who are seriously concerned about the safety of the A87. I was disappointed that Stuart Wilson, Development Management and Strategic Road Safety Manager did not attend after assuring me that he would be there, as I think that would have been helpful, and that a formal invite had not been given to the Police.

As you will know, the section of the A87 at Breakish does not have a pavement and is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists and also causes difficulties for motorists. Improvements to this road were started many years ago but the final phases were not followed through. I think it is now time to complete these improvements and build a pavement to ensure the safety of all who use this dangerous road. I was pleased to note that the proposal to increase the speed limit has now been abandoned but this is only a minor consolation for local residents.

As you will know, this is a trunk road which does not meet trunk road criteria and standards which I have brought to your attention in the past. The problems on the road include no pedestrian access to local businesses, the bus stop and Breakish Hall; no pavement and nowhere to walk; unprotected drops at the road edge into ditches; bad sight lines, blind summits and road signs restricting sight lines; speeding vehicles; lost tourists u-turning; low sun blinding drivers and lashing rain affecting visibility. There have been fatal accidents on the road and there are many near misses and unreported accidents.

The hall is used on an almost daily basis and parents have to drive the short distance, sometimes only a few yards, from their homes to it, as it is unsafe to walk.

Bob did promise to implement various measures to improve safety in the short term including putting a priority system in place at the bridges (which must be near the end of their lives) and at other points but this will, of course, be a restriction on a trunk road and is not ideal. He also said he would  enhance signage, cut back trees and shrubs, lay double white lines and infill some ditches. He also agreed to look at extending the 40 speed limit at the Ashaig end and at average speed cameras.

All of this is fine in the short term and should be started immediately but I cannot stress strongly enough that the need for real road safety improvements and the building of a pavement are essential if we are to ensure public safety on this part of the A87.

Bob told the meeting that a pavement would cost £1 million and I would ask that you make this a priority in your programme. There is plenty of evidence of the danger and inadequacy of this part of the road, which only gets worse during the tourist season, and I believe that a fair re-assessment of this will take it near the top of your priority list.

I look forward to hearing from you.