TWO fatal accidents on the A82 along Loch Lomondside in the space of a few days have sparked renewed calls for better safety measures on the busy trunk road.

Motorcyclists were killed in each of the crashes – at Stuckgowan, south of Tarbet, last Thursday, and near Ardvorlich Cottage, between Tarbet and Ardlui, on Monday.

Lomond North councillor Iain S. Paterson, a keen biker, told the Advertiser that average speed cameras should be introduced along the route in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities.

Cllr Paterson said: “It vexes and angers me that there are so many fatalities on this stretch of road.

“I feel very strongly that average speed cameras are the way to go – and I’ve been saying that since long before I became a councillor.

“You just have to look at the A9 and the A77, and other roads throughout Scotland, to see the difference they make.

“The A77 to Stranraer, where they are not just sited on A roads but also in the small villages that the A77 goes through en route to Cairnryan, shows a 77 per cent reduction in fatalities and a 74 per cent reduction in serious injuries [since the cameras were introduced].

“With statistics like that, how can they still be ignored for the A82 and A83?

“It is such an important and emotive issue that something as to be done, and I am determined to do something about it.

“I will continue to lobby my MP, MSP and the transport minister, Michael Matheson.”

Conservative West of Scotland MSP Maurice Corry, the party’s shadow minister for community safety at Holyrood, said he would back lower speed limits along certain stretches of the route.

He said: “The roads are extremely busy at this time of year with normal commuters and holiday makers. It tends to mean the traffic travels slower than usual in places, and people taking unnecessary risks to overtake.

“I think it is time certain stretches of the A82 have lower speed limits imposed to discourage overtaking and minimise injury during these exceptionally busy periods.

“Motorbikes can sometimes suddenly appear beside you when in constant traffic, so I would remind everyone, even if sitting in slow moving traffic, to check their mirrors carefully.”

The area’s constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie, added: “My thoughts are with the families of the two people who tragically lost their lives in the accidents on the A82 recently.

“I have argued for improvements to be carried out along the length of the A82 in the past. It is clear, given the high number of accidents and fatalities, that this road is in serious need of safety improvements. There are countless numbers of tourists that use the route during the summer and it is the gateway to the Highlands.

“I have therefore written to the new transport secretary to ask that he considers improving the road as a priority and joins me on a visit to see the challenges we face.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government’s transport agency, Transport Scotland, said: “Our sympathies are with family and friends at this time.

“As police investigations into these tragic incidents are on-going it would be inappropriate to comment further, however, as part of standard policy Transport Scotland officials will meet with Police Scotland and the road operating company to obtain more detailed information.”

Work already carried out on the A82 along the west shore of Loch Lomond in recent years includes the £9.2 million Pulpit Rock improvement scheme, completed in 2015, resurfacing and safety barrier work earlier this year between Ardlui and Falls of Falloch, and a reduction in the speed limit between Tarbet and Inverarnan.

Background

The Scottish Government recognises that the A82 is a vital artery for communities in the west of Scotland and is carrying out a programme of improvements to address a number of long-standing issues along the route. The £5.5 million Crianlarich Bypass scheme was opened in December 2014 and the £9.2 million Pulpit Rock Improvement scheme was completed in April 2015.

Ground investigation is currently underway between Tarbet and Inverarnan supporting the on-going detailed development and assessment of the preferred option for the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan Improvement Scheme.

A further £150k of resurfacing was undertaken earlier this year between Ardlui and Falls of Falloch. This is in addition to ongoing road safety signing works and bus stop improvements between Stoneymollan and Arden valued at £56k and £106k worth of safety barrier work having been installed along the same stretch in January 2018.

Other 2017 road safety measures introduced included reducing the speed limit between Tarbet and Inverarnan, improved signage at the Loch Sloy Power Station junction and a £64k resurfacing scheme at Arden roundabout.

Last week’s fatal accidents followed the death of a foreign national on Friday, June 15 after the car he was driving collided with a bus on the A82 near its junction with the A817 Garelochhead-Luss road.

Both last week’s crashes led to major tailbacks throughout the area, with the single-track A814 along Loch Long becoming jammed with traffic on Thursday.

Though the official diversion route sent vehicles via Gartocharn and Callander, a number of HGVs were reported to have used the A814 in spite of notices at both Arrochar and Garelochhead warning that the road is not suitable for larger vehicles.

A further accident on Friday morning saw the southbound A82 closed south of the Stoneymollan roundabout after a van and trailer overturned, though no-one was seriously injured as a result.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about either of last week’s fatal crashes – particularly motorists with dashcam footage – to contact them by calling 101.

In relation to last Thursday’s crash at Stuckgowan, witnesses should ask for the Dumbarton road policing unit quoting incident number 1542/05/07 of July 5.

Anyone with information about the accident at Ardvorlich on Monday should ask for the road policing department at Campbeltown, quoting incident number 1472 of July 9.