A group of incensed east Perthshire residents are demanding action on a tight and busy road before there is a fatal accident.
Members of ‘Beware Queen Street A923’ say houses “vibrate” and cracks appear on walls due to traffic on the road in Coupar Angus. They claim the issue has dragged on for 20 years and they want a new relief road built.
They say the road is too narrow, making it hazardous for pedestrians, especially when HGVs and tractors pass each other and mount the pavement.
Jo Kettles, 75, a former Coupar Angus community councillor, lives one street away but says she is too scared to walk along the road.
In 2012, a cyclist was hit by a lorry in Queen Street and Ms Kettles feels people’s lives are in danger.
“When the street is busy it is impossible for a fire engine or ambulance to get through, so lives are at stake – someone could die,” she said.
“The council promised action on this road around 20 years ago – we were promised heaven and earth but instead we’ve got nothing. When the traffic is very busy some vehicles have to mount the pavement – a bus recently clipped part of the church.
“I live just one street back and have walls that are two inches thick. When traffic rumbles by in Queen Street my whole house vibrates and shakes.”
She added: “We have had around 100 signatures from local people asking the council to do something about Queen Street. However, the local authority doesn’t seem to understand most of these buildings don’t have modern foundations – Coupar Angus was built on a bog.”
Councillor Dennis Melloy, of the Strathmore ward, said he is “extremely frustrated and angry” at council officers’ inaction.
“I fully understand the issues with budget constraints and the fact that council officers are busy, but this situation has gone on for far too long,” he said.
“Queen Street residents have had to put up with pollution from vehicles every day and the narrow pavements mean that anyone walking on them is in danger.
“I am sure that if the junction had been in Perth, urgent steps would have been taken immediately.”
He continued: “On June 3 last year, I met with council officers at the Queen Street junction to see what measures could be implemented to make this safer for pedestrians. At that meeting several options were put forward and the officers were to get back with drawings and suggestions.
“I had been advised it had been intended to run a traffic light trial in 2015/2016 but staff and budget restrictions postponed this. No drawings or costs have been prepared.”
Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said he is seeking “clarification” regarding the cost of a proposed alternative relief road.
“I will continue to work with the Coupar Angus community and the local authority to see what can be done to seek a positive outcome for all involved,” he said.
John Swinney, Perthshire North MSP, said: “I have contacted the council about recent points made by the community and campaign group. I hope this continued pressure will help move matters towards a satisfactory conclusion.”
Police Scotland said they are aware of concerns regarding traffic management in the area and are working with the council to solve the problem.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Due to resources being diverted to manage the various weather-related incidents over the last year, the proposed traffic management trial for Queen Street, Coupar Angus, has unfortunately not been progressed as quickly as we would have liked.
“However, initial preparatory work is under way.”
