Campaigners told that traffic surveys will be carried out by Highland Council after a six-year-old girl was injured in Milton of Leys
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
CAMPAIGNERS who wanted a speed reduction in their streets have had some success.
After a six-year-old child was injured by a passing car, in Balvonie Street, Milton of Leys, it is understood that Highland Council have agreed to run traffic surveys to understand the issue.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Inverness South, said he was pleased the council were moving quickly to have a speed limit introduced in the area.
He said: "It's good news that we will be taking following the concerns from the community.
"I have been told that traffic surveys will take place shortly to assess and inform a general need for a 20mph limit.
"It is a matter that Highland Council can deal with and there will be a seminar for all councillors."
Mr Gowans explained that a change in the way in which 20mph limits in local areas can now be managed at a Highland Council level, rather than at a national level after a private members bill in parliament.
Earlier this month, the Courier reported that parents and councillors were calling for a 20mph limit in a residential area in Milton of Leys, after a six-year-old child was struck by a car.
Mum Laura Mackenzie said: "It was such a near miss, and it could have been so different if the driver was going any faster, or if my daughter had been further onto the road.
"This was no fault of the driver. In fact,he believes the same as us, as he has seen a few near misses, and wants speed bumps to be installed.
"It has been about six weeks since my daughter's last xrays, and she is recovering physically ok. But she is very cautious about going out - she says 'mummy I am scared of cars now', this was so scary for her.
"We just need to put it right now."
At the time, Councillor Duncan Macpherson said: "Residents in an Inverness housing estate would like to see a 20mph zone introduced before a serious incident occurs at Balvonie Street in Milton of Leys.
"I was contacted by Laura Mackenzie from Balvonie Street in Milton of Leys, she sent me photos of her child’s leg injuries after her daughter had stepped out between two parked cars to join friends playing at an open green space nearby and been struck by a passing car.
"Mercifully the child’s injuries were minor and Laura was keen to point out that the driver, a local resident, was thankfully driving slowly and he was not at fault, as he has spotted a small group of young children gathered at the open green space area.
"The collision between car and child brought the safety of children playing outside at the housing estate into sharp focus for local parents."
He continued: "Other residents were thankful that on this occasion it hadn’t been a case of delivery van drivers whizzing around the estate delivering parcels door to door.
"The residents are keen that Highland Council look at the signage and road layout, to help inform delivery drivers and visitors unaccustomed to the layout of the housing estate, that children are at play and they should drive slowly and carefully.
"This has been a close call and a warning to drivers and parents about driving carefully when in built up areas of Inverness."
He added: "Highland Council’s road safety team have agreed to my request for a visit to the site and to make recommendations for safer streets and improved signage to alert drivers to children playing nearby."
