Safety plea after another accident on Strathaven Road

Aug 5 2009 by David Wynn, East Kilbride News

CAMPAIGNERS are demanding urgent action after yet another head-on smash on Strathaven Road.

Police say those involved in the latest crash – which happened late on Saturday afternoon – were lucky not to be seriously injured.

The accident involving a Ford Fiesta and a Vauxhall Zafira happened at the notorious spot close to Calderglen Country Park where the dual carriageway breaks to allow a single lane flow in opposite directions.

South Lanarkshire Council announced at the start of July that it intends to drop the speed limit in the area from 50mph to 40. This followed years of campaigning by local councillor Jim Wardhaugh and St Leonards Community Council.

But with the new limit not expected to be enforceable until the start of next year, the local authority is being urged to take safety measures to prevent further crashes in the interim.

Graeme Macklin, chair of the community council, said: “I appreciate the legislative process can take time, but why can’t there be warning signs erected to say the area in question is an accident blackspot? I’m certain that would slow drivers down. But perhaps then the council would be admitting to something they have denied for years.”

The latest accident is the fourth on this stretch of road in the past two months.