Peeblesshire News | News | Is this Scotland's fastest road?

Published: Friday, 29th August, 2008 12:30

Is this Scotland's fastest road?

By David Knox

A THREE-DAY blitz by traffic cops snared six drivers going over the ton on one of the fastest stretches of road in the country.

And moves are underway to site permanent cameras on the A702 in a bid to put the brakes on the speeders.

A 41-year-old driver from Cumbria was clocked during Saturday afternoon on the Dolphinton straight going more than twice the legal limit at speeds over 122 miles-per-hour in a BMW.

And the following day, on the same stretch of A702 road between West Linton and Biggar, another BMW driver was caught doing over 109.

Inspector Richard Latto from Lothian and Borders Police told the Peeblesshire News: “Excessive speed continues to be a challenge for roads policing officers and, unfortunately, is nearly always a contributory factor in serious and fatal road traffic collisions.

“Drivers who continue to travel in excess of recognized speed limits will be proactively targeted through the latest available technology and will invariably lose their licenses.”

During the weekend-long campaign a soldier was stopped after reaching 115 in his Vauxhall Astra on Friday.

And a man was also pulled over on Saturday after reaching 103. Within minutes of the 22-year-old being charged, a 26-year-old was stopped when clocked at 100 in his Jaguar.

A biker was also stopped just after riding through West Linton when he reached 106 on his Honda.

And during the three days another four drivers were stopped when caught doing over 90-miles-per-hour.

A police spokesman told us: “There are concerns about the speeds being reached and cameras is an option being considered.”

Speed cameras were first introduced to the Scottish Borders 15 years ago.

But the 30 Gatsos are only placed along three roads in the region – the A1 and A697 in Berwickshire the A68 through Roxburghshire.

MSP Jeremy Purvis is calling for new Average Speed Cameras to be introduced. He said: “It is at crisis level and I am urging both Scottish Borders Council and Transport Scotland to bring in Average Speed Cameras.

“I think they would be extremely effective and justified as this road is dangerous enough without the speeds we are now witnessing.

“Average Speed Cameras are much more effective as they cut speeds for the entire length of a stretch of road not just in single locations.”

Several fatal accidents have happened on the A702 between West Linton and Biggar over the past few years.

And at the moment only one site is allocated for a mobile camera speed unit.

A spokeswoman for the Lothian and Borders Camera Safety Partnership said: “There is obviously cause for concern on the A702 and we do constantly monitor situations with our partners Lothian and Borders Police.”

But local councillor Neil Calvert doesn’t believe the introduction of speed cameras is necessary. He said: “The police already have a visible presence on the A702 and that should continue but I don’t think there is the need for permanent cameras.”

Comments

hamish

Aug 29 08 18:43

Our Ref: 858

Use the ref number if you need to report this comment

How dare Councillor Neil Calvert state that he does not think that average speed cameras on the Dolphinton Straight are neccessary. I live next to the A702 and travel the Straight every day. On almost every occassion I witness speeding drivers and dangerous overtakes in the face of oncoming vehicles. Many of these manouvres put myself and my children at risk and there are constant near misses. The standard of driving that is shown by these cars, vans and HGV's is apalling and it is no surprise that there are serious collisions on this stretch of road on a regular basis. Perhaps Mr.Calvert has personal reasons for being against speed cameras but whatever the reason, he is showing a contemptable attitude towards the safety of the people he is supposed to be representing. The arguements against speed cameras simply don't hold up. Firstly people that speed are breaking the law. There is no excuse. Secondly the people who complain that it is simply a money making excercise (people who have been convicted I suspect), well the answer is simple. Don't speed. It is these very people who are donating thier money to the government. If they don't like where the money is going then stop doing it! It's as simple as that. Perhaps a couple of times a month the Safety Camera Unit are seen to be set up on the Straight but while they are spreading themselves out as best they can due to poor resources, the majority of the time the road is clear for the maniacs. Both my family and others who live in Dolphinton would greatly appreciate any measure that is taken to restrict these stupid selfish drivers.

Report this comment

hamish

Aug 29 08 18:45

Our Ref: 859

Use the ref number if you need to report this comment

Report this comment

Metal Mickey

Sep 1 08 12:59

Our Ref: 863

Use the ref number if you need to report this comment

Clearly Councillor Calvert has some hidden agenda although quite what it is who knows? Perhaps he could enlighten us by explaining why despite a driver being clocked in excess of 120 mph he thinks that there is no need for permanent speed cameras?

I totally agree with the previous correspondent: people who speed are breaking the law, putting other drivers at risk and there is simply no excuse. Councillor Calvert's comments appear to be an endorsement of speeding culture.

Report this comment

Social Bookmarking What are these?