ROAD SIGNS are to be installed at an accident blackspot in Kinross-shire that saw an elderly woman lose both legs following a horrific accident.
Following pressure from Councillor Joe Giacopazzi, who is one of the representatives for the Kinross-shire ward, the local authority have confirmed that warning signs will be positioned on the unclassified Milnathort to Netherhall road at Tillywhally.
The rural road came into focus during the trial of Richard Harvey (20), of Wester Balgedie, Kinross, who was accused of careless driving on the road and of colliding with a pedestrian, Ms Jean Duncan (70), in February.
The pensioner, who was out on her daily walk, subsequently lost both her legs following an accident at Tillywhally.
Harvey was found not guilty after trial at Perth Sheriff Court.
However, several witnesses told the court how the area of road in question did not get any sun and is prone to ice.
Criticism was also made of a lack of gritting during the winter months.
Mr Giacopazzi said a car accident took place at the same spot two weeks ago and revealed he wants road signs installed on the rural road.
“I’ve not had any complaints about this but it is a particularly nasty part of the road it never gets any light,” he said.
“It is a bad bit of the road and you need to drive slowly there.”
The politician said there are new houses in the area and that many residents will not be aware of the road and its susceptibility to icing over.
“There are new houses at Tillyrie, around 30 new properties, so you have drivers on this road who are not used to it, or the road conditions facing them,” he added.
“I’m hoping to find long-term solutions. I’ve talked to local police and will push the council to have warning signs put up on the road.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said that plans are afoot to put up warning signs and that the road is gritted during the winter months.
“Talks have taken place with our roads department and road signs should be going up in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
“The council reviews its winter maintenance policy annually and looks at whether any changes are required to the level of service provision. The road concerned is part of a category two route for winter maintenance and would receive gritting where this was required once the most frequently used roads were treated.”
preoch@thecourier.co.uk