Children in Inverness's Slackbuie neighbourhood celebrate after winning a battle with Highland Council in their road safety fight; youngsters had been forced to make their own safety signs after near misses, but council will now take action
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
CHILDREN in a busy Inverness neighbourhood who were forced to make their own road safety signs after frightening brushes with traffic have won their battle with Highland Council.
Children living in Duke’s View in Slackbuie pinned up their own makeshift warnings to drivers after complaining of several close calls.
When the council’s roads department refused to implement official safety measures, parents asked the Inverness Courier to highlight their concerns that someone could be killed or seriously injured.
One worried grandmother described the situation as “an accident waiting to happen”, while two other families recalled near-misses between vehicles and children on bikes.
Officials countered that the narrow streets – including one blind junction without pavement – were passed safe by planners when the 51 homes were built in 2006 by Atholl Developments.
However, local councillor Ken Gowans took up the residents’ cause and pressed the council for action, with the authority now yielding to pressure. A Highland Council spokesman said: “The signs have been ordered and we will erect as soon as possible after we receive them.”
Mr Gowans said: “What has happened is I have agreement from the roads department that they’re going to put up some signs to warn drivers of the risks in those streets.
“They were a bit reticent to do it to be honest, and it has taken a little bit of persuasion in pointing out their responsibilities.
“I’m delighted to say they’ve now agreed to erect two ‘children playing’ signs, which I feel will go a long way towards alleviating the situation.
“Some of the residents were asking for things like speed humps, but that wasn’t really a sensible option because it can pose difficulties for emergency vehicles.”
IT manager Jamie Mackay, who lives in one of the streets with wife Honor and children Amy (15), Ethan (6) and Oliver (4) said: “I’m delighted there has been a change of heart.
“It is really good that the council has listened to our concerns and hopefully we will be a lot more confident in the kids playing in the area.
“It is probably a quick win on both sides, rather than digging the streets up and putting in speed bumps. It is quite a tight area, so it is really just to alert people going into Duke’s View that there may be young children playing.
“I think if drivers are aware of it, they’re generally very careful, rather than actually speeding up between speed bumps, which is something you do see.
“I can only thank the Inverness Courier and councillor Gowans for pursuing our concerns.”
