Appendix 3

Garty Road

Information received from TEC Services in relation to this stretch of road is as follows:

 

This is a narrow single track road with poor forward visibility and the view has always been that the road did not lend itself to speeding. A speed survey was completed but the findings were not accepted as there was concern that the tube had been detached for most of the period that the counter was in place. At a later date, in June 2006, another speed survey was undertaken the findings of which were forwarded to the Community Council. The findings were that the mean speed of traffic in both directions was below 30mph which indicated there was no speeding problem on the Garty road.

 

There is a laid down approach to the consideration of the need for the introduction of a speed limit. In this case the findings simply do not justify the introduction of a speed limit.

 

Responsibility for the bridge over the railway at the A9 end of the Garty road is the responsibility of Network Rail. The bridge is assessed at 40 tonnes and therefore a weight limit is not appropriate.

 

The building contractors who are currently on site were asked by TEC Services on 17 September that they refrain from using that stretch of road.

Email received 6 November 2007 regarding Garty Road

The speeding and heavy traffic on the Garty road has worsened rather than improved.  We understand that the man from TEC Services had agreed to speak to the contractors about their use of the Garty Road.  This however doesn’t seem to have made any difference and usage by work vehicles has grown.

 

With regard to the speeding issue, the main problem is at or near the junction with the B 817.  Cars joining the Garty road often take the corner at speed.  Cars exiting the Garty Rd, where there is a poor forward view also manouver at speed. 

 

As you have already indicated the Garty Road does not lend itself to speed and we would agree that this is true of the top half near the A9 where the road narrows and forward visibility is poor. The problem lies at the bottom of the road where there are houses and where the church car park joins the road.  In particular the junction, where there have been a number of near misses it appears that drivers do not pay enough regard to the speed of the traffic travelling on the B817, viability for drivers using the B817 is poor due the number of blind bends.

 

People who walk, including those attending church on a regular basis, and local residents including children and disabled adults, are at risk every time they cross either road.

Response:

The area was investigated on 7th November and TEC Services spent some time in the cemetery car park observing traffic.  The previous assessment of the situation was supported and TEC Services could not recommend an investigation into a speed limit in the area.  There is no evidence of speeding traffic from the observations the site manager was again spoken to who  assured that heavy site traffic does not use that road.  If there is definite evidence of this happening (eg a photograph) TEC Services will go back to the site manager.  All the proper signs are in place on the approaches to the junction and finally to the knowledge of the officer there is no history of accidents at this location.