Angus Council’s chief executive has ruled out enforcement action on a stretch of the A92 between Arbroath and Montrose despite a string of serious accidents.
David Wise-Mann, who lives near Inverkeilor railway bridge, and Mike Drysdale, who lives at Parkhill, previously made calls for a speed cut and safety barriers after vehicles crashed into their gardens.
“We have examined the collision records for this stretch of carriageway over the last three years,” chief executive Richard Stiff wrote.
“The RTCs have occurred on a single carriageway section subject to a national speed restriction.
“Our recent automated speed surveys have indicated average speeds are below the speed limit and the higher than average speeds recorded do not merit intervention for enforcement.”
However, Mr Stiff said the council will undertake surface treatments at Myreside and Parkhill following collisions caused by the “loss of control.”
He said they have looked at installing safety barriers at both sites to protect houses but the layout means that it is simply “not feasible.”
With regards to recent HGV accidents at the low bridge, Mr Stiff said existing approach signs are still correct and the vehicle-activated sign was working correctly at the time of both crashes.
Mr Stiff also referred to two recent collisions at the A92/Brunton junction which he said were two of only three which have occurred at this junction in the past three years.
However, he said the council would review existing road markings at the junction along with the signage for the junction in the light of the recent incidents.
He said driver error was a common factor in most, if not all, collisions but the latest collisions would be included in its analysis for potential further investigation and appropriate action.
He concluded: “We will continue to liaise with Police Scotland colleagues and continue to monitor the situation in regard to the outcome of the proposed surfacing works.”
Mr Stiff was responding to Angus South MSP Graeme Dey who had taken up the matter on behalf of his constituents.
Mr Dey said: “I understand entirely the concerns of local people in terms of the number of accidents that have occurred on this stretch of road.
“However, any action taken by the authorities has to be evidence led and, in the main, these accidents appear to be more to do with driver error than with the nature of the road.
“That said, the fact the council is to review the road markings and signage indicates it accepts that there is a need for some kind of action, and I welcome its commitment to continue to monitor the situation.”