Call to re-ignite A76 campaign

Nov 21 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

A FRESH bid is being made for more safety improvements on the A76.

It follows fears over a killer stretch at Auldgirth.

Local councillor Andrew Wood says he was flooded with new complaints about the route after the Standard reported last week how an HGV left the road near the village, smashing through fencing and into a field.

A pensioner who owned a nearby house was just 12 yards away.

Mr Wood said: “We need to re-ignite the campaign on this road.

“We have been successful so far in getting safety signs installed but there needs to be more.”

The councillor is trying to get officials from the police, Amey Highways, the council and the Scottish Government round the table to discuss what can be done.

He said: “We need to get everyone together on this as the most important thing is that the road is safe.

“The three areas that need the most work are Closeburn, Carronbridge and Auldgirth.

“In Closeburn the speed is 40mph but I think that needs to go down even further to 30mph as people just aren’t complying with the law.

“There also needs to be a stronger threat there that people caught breaking the strict limit will be prosecuted.

“There’s also problems in Carronbridge as the village sits in a hollow. HGV drivers don’t want to slow down going into it as they will have to change gear to get back up it.

“As long as there is a problem with this route I will keep on being a pain in the butt of the authorities who can do something about it.

“I think sometimes the A76 is played off against the A75, which is also very important, but seems to have more investment that the A76.”

Data compiled by Carronbridge Community Council speed-watch programme showed that more than 50 per cent of drivers were over the speed limit.

They measured 312 cars over five periods throughout the day and found the majority to be driving between 31 and 39mph through the 30mph village.