Blair Drummond Safari Park bosses brand route near attraction 'not fit for purpose' after crashes
Renewed calls have been made for safety measures to be introduced on a section of the A84 near Blair Drummond Safari Park after three accidents in just a week.
Two collisions happened at the entrance to the safari park – at the A84's junction with Sommer's Lane – with a third incident at the Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop junction, where the A84 meets the A873.
This has led to fresh calls for more traffic calming measures from campaigners, with safari park management backing this call saying the road is 'no longer fit for purpose'.
The local community council fears it will 'take a death on the road before anything changes'.
The first crash saw the A84 closed at around 1.30pm on Tuesday, July 29.
Police received reports of a two-vehicle crash and four people were treated at the scene.
Just four days later, another incident occurred at the same location.
A driver was arrested and charged following a three-vehicle collision near the entrance of the safari park at around 3.50pm on Saturday, August 2.
The crash involved a Mercedes Vito Tourer, a black Seat Leon and Ford Focus Zetec.
A 40-year-old woman, who was a passenger within the Mercedes vehicle, was taken to hospital for treatment and a 38-year-old woman and a 46-year-old male, both passengers within the Seat Leon, were also taken to hospital. The occupants of the Ford Focus were uninjured.
A 37-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with road traffic offences.
The third incident occurred on the A84 at the Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop junction on Wednesday after noon.
Blair Drummond Safari Park says that it has 'repeatedly raised concerns' with Transport Scotland about the safety of the A84 outside its entrance, but their requests for action have 'consistently been denied'.
Park manager Gavin Hughes told the Stirling Observer his staff have stepped in to help when there are crashes outside the visitor attraction.
He said: 'Over the years, we have asked for a range of safety measures to be considered – including a reduced speed limit, a slip road, a roundabout, and a pedestrian crossing to help people safely cross from the other side.
'Unfortunately, none of these proposals have been taken forward.
'This is a fast-moving road with poor visibility at our junction. It's used by significant numbers of visitors travelling to both Blair Drummond Safari Park and Briarlands Farm, and it has become busier year-on-year. The A84 is also one of the key routes taken by tourists heading to the north of Scotland, and interest in visiting the Highlands has increased dramatically in recent years.
'On top of that, the local area has seen the arrival of several new businesses, further increasing traffic and pressure. Quite simply, the road is no longer fit for purpose in its current form, and we believe it urgently needs to be re-evaluated.
'Accidents on this stretch occur far too frequently. Just last week, members of our team were first on the scene at a collision, stepping in to make sure everyone was safe, move vehicles off the road, and direct traffic until emergency services arrived.
'We do not have any jurisdiction over the road, which is frustrating both for us and for our customers, many of whom have raised concerns. We believe more must be done to improve safety in this area, and we will continue to push for action on this increasingly busy stretch of road.'
Transport Scotland published a safety study on the stretch in March 2019 which said a 'preferred option' to calm traffic would have been the creation of a roundabout there, but said at the time that it was 'not a priority'.
A new roundabout to include the A84 and A873 – at the junction of the Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop - was estimated to cost approximately £3.5 million at the time.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson this week said the junction outside the safari park main entrance 'has not been identified for safety focused investment based on the collision history over the last three years'.
They added: 'But we will discuss the details of the most recent collisions with Police Scotland to understand the circumstances behind them.'
Thornhill and Blairdrummond Community Council says that the issue has been a hot topic on their agenda for many years. A spokesperson said: 'The community council have long advocated for a traffic management solution for both the Safari Park and Smiddy junctions. It will take a death on the road before anything changes at this rate.'
Trossachs and Teith ward councillor, Martin Earl, said: 'There's a very good reason why councillors, residents and MSPs have been raising this location with Transport Scotland for so long – it's dangerous and will remain so until money is spent and changes are made.
'This must surely now be accepted by them.'
Stirling's SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed has written to Transport Scotland and the Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, over the matter, calling for action to improve road safety. She said: 'I have reiterated the desire for a roundabout to be put in place at the junction into the safari park and improvements to be made at the Smiddy and Gargunnock junctions. I'm awaiting a response. I hope that all those who have been involved in these incidents make a full recovery.'
Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP and shadow Minister for Local Government and Public Finance, Alexander Stewart said: 'For a great many year years, local residents have been extremely concerned at the sheer level of accidents, many of them serious, and near-misses at this junction of Sommer's Lane at the entrance to Blair Drummond Safari Park.'
He added: 'Many years ago, my Scottish Conservative colleagues were heavily involved in this issue and convinced Transport Scotland to carry out a safety survey of the junction, however whilst the Scottish Government's transport agency conceded that a roundabout at the junction was its 'preferred option', bafflingly they ruled that it wasn't priority 'at this time' and it did not, in their opinion, represent value for money.
'It's easy to speculate that were a roundabout now in place here, maybe these awful accidents may never have happened, however what is absolutely crystal clear now, is that something decisive must be done.'
Mr Stewart 'strenuously urged' Transport Scotland to undertake 'urgent action to address this problem' and vowed to write to Transport Scotland to request they implement the report's recommendations.
Stirling and Strathallan Labour MP Chris Kane echoed the calls for urgent action, saying: 'This has been a long-standing issue that has been continuously ignored.
'This area has seen far too many accidents, and recent events only confirm that the situation is getting worse. It is clear the current layout is no longer fit for purpose.'
Mr Kane has asked Transport Scotland to confirm what steps are being taken to improve safety at these junctions and has requested updated accident statistics to better understand the scale of the problem.
'I will continue pressing this issue until meaningful action is taken. These are preventable risks, and it's time we put public safety first', he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire drug dealers sold cocaine and tried to get gun
Harrison Billing, Danhiellen Raji, and John Phillips appeared at Swansea Crown Court charged with a series of drug and weapon offences. Prosecutor Ashanti-Jade Walton said police stopped a Nissan Juke heading into Pembrokeshire on February 12 after receiving intelligence it was carrying drugs. Officers found 253 grams of cocaine in a container in the footwell by Billing – valued at £20,540, and a 'large knife' was on the Raji's seat. Ms Walton said Billing also had business cards on him which listed a phone number, drug weights and prices, and read: 'Thank you for supporting our small business. We do appreciate it'. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. Drug-related messages were found on Billing's phone – including directing drug runners and bidding '£40,000 up front' for cocaine from a contact named 'A'. Raji's phone also had drug-related messages and a picture of himself holding a large amount of money. Both Billing and Raji also exchanged messages about acquiring a firearm. Billing messaged a contact saying he 'was trying to get a toy' – meaning a gun – and offering £1,000 extra if he could supply the 'toy' quickly. When Phillips' address was searched, officers found a quantity of cannabis. Harrison Billing was caught with large amounts of cocaine twice within a few months. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police) Billing was further charged with offences relating to a separate incident on December 27. Police pursued Billing's Mercedes at around 10.50pm in Milford Haven after he flew over a junction at high speed. He was doing 70mph in a 30mph limit, but was arrested after he crashed into a wall and railings on the corner of Hamilton Terrace and Francis Street. Upon searching the car, officers found around 70 grams of high purity cocaine – worth around £4,250 – and £925.31 in cash, along with four mobile phones. His co-defendant Dylan Brown, 20, of Chestnut Way in Milford Haven, was sentenced to 18 months detention in April after he admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of criminal property, and being involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis on the basis that he was acting under the direction of Billing. Dylan Brown was been jailed for dealing cocaine under the direction of Harrison Billing. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police) Billing's phone included drug-related messages and pictures of large amounts of cash and white powder. He also sent Brown messages including: 'I ain't a d***head. I will make you good money' and 'You need to be serious about this s*** because you're losing me money'. Both Billing and Raji pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, and conspiring to possess a firearm. Billing, now 19, of Jury Lane in Haverfordwest, also admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, dangerous driving, possession of criminal property and driving with no insurance. Dyfed Thomas, for Billing, said: 'He wishes the court to know there is a genuine remorse for the position he's put himself in. 'He wants an opportunity to show he's not this person.' He said Billing had 'witnessed things that no child should witness' growing up, and had spend his early teenage years in the care system. 19-year-old Raji, of no fixed abode, further admitted possession of a knife. He had nine previous convictions for 18 offences – including for purchasing a prohibited weapon and possession of an offensive weapon. Danhiellen Raji was caught with a large knife when pulled over by police. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police) Ian Ibrahim, in mitigation, said Raji had 'a very very difficult start in life' as he had been in care since he was kicked out of his home at 13 and had since been through 'over 20 care homes'. Mr Ibrahim said Raji had experienced friends being stabbed which 'goes some way to explain' his weapons charges, although he acknowledged 'it's no excuse'. Phillips, 37, of Pen Puffin in Steynton, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis possession. Ryan Bowen, appearing for Phillips, said the defendant admitted the cocaine charge on the basis he was being used by his co-defendants. He said Phillips didn't expect to make a financial gain, and his co-defendants took advantage of him due to his neurodiversity and 'deficits in consequential thinking'. Addressing Billing and Raji, Judge Huw Rees said: 'If you think that playing the big man in supplying Class A drugs is the answer then you are very much mistaken.' He sentenced Billing to four years and two months detention, whilst Raji was sentenced to three years and nine months detention. Phillips was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 18 months. He must complete 180 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Driver flips car after ‘smashing into parked vehicles' on Glasgow street
The black diesel motor was on its side in the narrow street in the city's Dennistoun area PARKING MAD Driver flips car after 'smashing into parked vehicles' on Glasgow street A CAR has flipped onto its side in a busy residential street in Glasgow today. The Mercedes-Benz E220 has been spotted blocking Roselea Drive. Advertisement 2 A motor has flipped onto its side and blocked a Glasgow street Credit: Supplied The black diesel motor was on its side in the narrow street in the city's Dennistoun area. It is understood the driver collided with parked vehicles before turning onto its side. Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
George V Bridge cycle lanes now open in Glasgow city centre
The construction work for the George V Bridge, which started in June, has rebalanced the public space to prioritise those travelling actively. The bridge deck's five live traffic lanes have been reduced to three to make room for dedicated cycle lanes on both sides of the road. (Image: Emma is pictured with her parents) It comes after cyclist Emma Burke Newman was killed when she was hit by a lorry on Broomielaw in the morning of January 27, 2023. Lorry driver Paul Mowat pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving following the crash and was sentenced to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months READ NEXT: Parents of woman killed in Glasgow back safer cycling manifesto George V Bridge – Northbound segregated cycle lane (Image: Supplied) These lanes are part of an effort to create a City Network with 270km of safe, segregated cycle routes. The junctions at the bridge's ends have been redesigned to offer extra protection for cyclists. Read more: Hamilton business consultancy expands as it launches private sector service The northbound cycle lane is set to connect to a future Broomielaw/Clyde Street 'Avenue', while the southbound lane already links with the popular South City Way. In addition, traffic signals have been upgraded, and footway enhancements have been made to create a more appealing environment for active travel. George V Bridge – Southbound segregated cycle lane (Image: Supplied) Pedestrian crossings have also been improved, with tactile paving and dropped kerbs installed for better accessibility. The area will further benefit from soft landscaping and the planting of new street trees in the coming months. Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for Transport and Climate, said: "The new walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure on and around George V Bridge improves safety and the general environment for people who want to travel actively. George V Bridge – Junction improvements at Broomielaw (Image: Supplied) "We have added protected cycle lanes on both sides of the bridge deck and reconfigured the junctions at Broomielaw and Clyde Place. "And for people who walk and wheel in the area, the footways and crossing points have been enhanced and made safer. "The revised layout also contributes to the growth of our City Network, which is creating connections that ensure more and more parts of the city are accessible by safe, segregated infrastructure. "By supporting measures that encourage active travel for everyday journeys, we can help build a fairer, more sustainable transport system that will reduce carbon emissions, boost public health and create safer, more vibrant neighbourhoods." The project received funding from Transport Scotland's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund - Tier 1.
