Fears over the safety of a Perthshire road that claimed the life of tragic two-year-old Harlow Edwards were raised almost a decade ago.
Michael Gallagher, a former member of Coupar Angus Community Council, showed The Courier minutes of a June 2007 meeting during which members pleaded for a 30mph zone on the town’s Forfar Road.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash on the route which killed little Harlow and seriously injured her brother Leon, 6, and Dionne, 17 on Thursday afternoon.
Eyewitness reports suggest a black Ford Focus lost control, hit a wall then careered along the pavement into the siblings who last night remained in a ”serious” condition at Ninewells Hospital.
Mr Gallagher said the road had frequently been flagged as a potential danger.
An email he received from a parent in 2008 read: “As a resident of Forfar Road and parent of two young boys, it continually concerns me the speed with which vehicles travel, especially those travelling east after the Red House circle.”
Mr Gallagher said police had indicated at that time the issue would be looked into.
He added: “In August 2009, a request was made to a local councillor to put up chain fencing along Forfar Road to stop children getting out of Larghan Park.
“In August 2014, police said they would carry out speed checks on Forfar Road beside Larghan Park.
“In December 2014, there was a proposal for the speed limit on Forfar Road beside the common to be reduced to 20mph.
“Then in March last year, Councillor Dennis Melloy passed on his concerns regarding speeding on Forfar Road to the police.”
Perthshire father Paul Gemine, who witnessed the crash that killed Harlow Edwards, has been left “really shaken” by the tragedy.
He told how he threw his jacket over Leon after the 3.15pm crash which also involved a silver Citroen people carrier.
Officers were unable to say whether either driver will face charges.
Mr Gemine described the incident as a “tragic accident.”
He added: “I put my coat over Leon – the whole thing was awful.”
Local residents have left floral tributes at the scene of the accident, along with cuddly toys and written messages, one of which states: ‘Sleep tight little one in the arms of your angels. So sad.”
Wendy McCombes, chair of Coupar Angus and Bendochy Community Council, said Perth and Kinross Council rejected a move to improve traffic in the area just days before the horrific accident.
A council spokesperson said they could not comment as the incident is under police investigation.
Sergeant Roy Fairbairn, of Police Scotland, said officers are investigating the full set of circumstances of the collision to “see how it came about.”
He added: “I’d appeal for any witness who may have seen a black Ford Focus driving towards Forfar from the Coupar Angus area should contact us on 101.”
