'We cannot afford the loss of another life': Residents call for action to be taken after pedestrian's death on 'race track' stretch of A836 from Bonar Bridge to Lairg
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Householders living along a notorious stretch of road in Sutherland on which a pedestrian was killed last month are demanding that action be taken in a bid to force motorists to cut their speed.
A delegation of residents, whose homes are off the A836 at Invershin and on the Balblair straight between Bonar Bridge and Lairg, attended Sutherland MP Jamie Stone’s surgery in the Kyle of Sutherland Hub on Tuesday.
They are calling for various measures to be taken including reducing the speed limit through Invershin and erecting speed warning signs. Also being talked about is the formation of an action group to lobby for changes to be made.
The 10 miles of mainly straight road between Bonar Bridge and Lairg has been compared to a “race track” with claims that drivers are reaching speeds of up to 120 mph. There have been numerous previous accidents.
The wider community was deeply shocked at the death near Invershin on Wednesday, July 19, of well-known Ardgay man Angus Ross (85). He was struck by a motorcycle and died at the scene. The road was closed for more than six hours.
Pete Campbell, a former Creich Community Council chairman, subsequently wrote to the Northern Times stating: “We cannot afford the loss of another life. Something should have been done about this years ago. Perhaps, once again, this is the time.”
Councillor Michael Baird, North, West and Central Sutherland – a Bonar Bridge resident – has emailed Highland Council’s roads office asking for speed monitoring devices to be installed on the stretch of road.
He has also asked for the speed limit through Invershin to be lowered from 60mph to 40mph, as has been the case in nearby Edderton and Spinningdale.
And he has also called for a village name sign for Invershin to be put in place in order to indicate to drivers that they are approaching a settlement.
Cllr Baird also raised the issue of speeding on the A836 at a meeting of Sutherland County Committee earlier this month attended by newly appointed north police area commander Chief Inspector Stuart Fitzpatrick.
The meeting discussed the efficacy of speed warning signs and cardboard cut-outs of a police officer with a speed gun.
Tuesday’s delegation consisted of Mr Campbell’s wife Reay Campbell; Janis Hedley, Elaena Wells and Cheryl Macdonald of the Invershin Hotel.
Mrs Hedley said: “I was one of the first ones on the scene (of the July accident) and I just thought 'We have had enough’. Nobody is listening to what is going on here and it is like Invershin is the forgotten village - we have not even got a sign. We need the speed limit reduced because there are so many more houses and people here."
Reay Campbell, who is married to Pete Campbell was herself nearly killed on the road and previously lost one of her horses in a road accident.
She said: “Everyone is deeply concerned about it. The way people drive up and down that road is utterly irresponsible. Drivers are going at over 100mph. It is so dangerous. People have no respect for this road."
She said the group was particularly worried about local children who had to cross the road to catch school buses.
Mrs Campbell added that residents were talking about forming a group and setting up a Facebook page.
Jamie Stone said: "A good number of constituents came to my Bonar Bridge clinic and shared with me their deep concern about speeding on the A836 between Lairg and Bonar Bridge, particularly the section passing the Invershin Hotel, Balbair, and the approaches to Bonar itself.
"Some motorists are going at speeds way beyond the legal limit. As local people know, there was a fatal accident on this stretch not long ago in which speed may well have been a factor.
"I agreed that I would reinforce Cllr Michael Baird’s attempts to solve the problem by writing to Highland Council roads department and the police. It seems to me that flashing warning signs and a higher police presence will be necessary to alleviate this problem.
"The people who came to see me were deeply worried about this, and I owe it to them to do all I can to help."
