Speeding vehicles (Alistair Tulloch)
We live at Westerhouse, next to the Olligarth bridge at Whiteness. The excessive speed of a great many vehicles traveling along this road is getting out of hand.
There will be a serious accident; it’s no longer “if” – only a matter of time. I have written to the SIC and also asked our local councillor to see if something cannot be done to slow down the vehicles.
The road is sub-standard, blind summits and hidden dips, very poor visibility on almost every bend and yet the vehicles come over the brow of the hill like kamikaze pilots, with absolutely no chance of stopping, if for example our children were out on their bikes.
On Saturday four or five motor bikes went past doing at least 70mph, first going west and then back east again. My wife and I were talking our some neighbours who were out for a walk, and thank goodness they had moved off the road. As these bikes went past it was like being close to a jet plane.
Considering that the road from Wormadale to Soundside is now heavily populated with houses, the school, youth club, social club, sports pitch, public hall and a number of pony clubs, is it not time to consider a speed limit? Lerwick has areas with a 20mph speed limit – are our children less valuable?
And just in case some SIC official quote lack of funds as a reason for doing nothing – a speed limit is almost free, and may well prevent a tragedy.
Alistair Tulloch
Westerhouse
Whiteness.
Lynda Fraser
I can see the dangers you write about and thinking about it I dont see why the 50 mile speed limit that is at Soundside could not be extended taking in the School also and maybe reduced to a 30 mile limit. when you consider that at the Weisdale shop there it a sidewalk and good visibility , the visibility between you and soundside has blind bends and no sidewalk , yes I certainly can see your concerns. and hope they are addressed
Lynda Fraser
Schoolhouse
Gruting
Brig O Waas
Johan Adamson
It must be really dangerous too for the residents of South Whiteness and a bit harem scarem at that junction to get out and in.
I dont know why drivers use the Veensgarth road as a shortcut West or from West to East either. Why is it used as a racetrack just so that you can overtake slower vehicles on the main road? It is built up too, and the Wallaster bit is a 60 mph piece of road and there are also bairns out cycling and people trying to walk their dogs. Please spare a thought for the residents there too, and how you are going to feel if you kill something whilst racing home, saving yourself seconds. Speed equals distance over time and if you do the arithmetic, it is only seconds you will be saving.
We need to reclaim the road, get everyone out walking with dogs and pushchairs and cycling. If more people are out using the road the cars will have to slow down and realise it is not a motorway or dual carriageway.
Robert Duncan
Very well said, from all above. Speeding is a significant problem in Shetland at the moment.
There was a morning just before the school holidays where the policce were speed gunning outside Sound Primary School. What is the point, when there is a lollipop man there already and cars couldn’t get much faster than 20mph even if they wanted to?
In the same week, I was in scalloway one morning and saw some lunatic overtake another car going down the Mill Brae, a designated 20mph during school hours. Outside of school hours, cars regularly top 40mph. Slow down and show some respect for others!
Leslie Lowes
I regularly drive at 20 mph past the Whiteness and Weisdale school at certain hours when the flashing amber lights come on. I have yet to see a child walking to or from school at these times. In fact I have not seen a child crossing the road here for years!