Does someone need to die before action will be taken to deter speeding drivers?

May 28 2009 West Lothian Courier

OVER the past 10 years I have constantly telephoned and written to local councillors, MPs and MSPs regarding the speed of the traffic on East Main Street, Broxburn.

I have also contacted the local police on numerous occasions on the same subject.

The last correspondence I had was when I was advised that calming measures were being introduced.

Unfortunately, since then there has been no visible difference in the speed that the traffic travels either east to west or west to east on this part of the main road.

I have now come to the conclusion that nothing less than a fatality will induce the investment and addition of speed cameras in this particular area of the road between the swimming pool and the traffic lights at East Mains Industrial Estate.

Following the peak hour traffic the racing drivers come out in force and not one driver drives at the appropriate speed limit, neither lorry drivers, bus drivers, cars or motor bikes and this continues well into the early hours of the morning.

According to the police they can only advise the local council that this part of East Main Street is particularly prevalent for drivers who continually flout the speed limit for a built-up area.

On numerous occasions I hear the screeching of tyres as someone tries to slow down – beware anyone who is in the way.

As recently as Sunday, May 17, one driver who was travelling at approximately 80-100mph down East Main Street, swerved to miss a cat and hit an oncoming car.

However, as he didn’t stop we couldn’t tell him that he also killed the cat which was crossing the road.

When the police are on duty with their hand-held cameras all the traffic remains within the speed limit. However, there is always a reserve fund somewhere I’m sure that could fund the installation of two permanent cameras on this road.

Alison Souza

Blairmuir Terrace

Broxburn