Residents’ anger as councillors slash town speed limits

A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to slash speed limits on a string of Fraserburgh roads has been backed – despite mass objection.

The Banff and Buchan area committee approved the introduction of 20mph speed limits and speed bumps on a number of routes in Fraserburgh.

Roads affected include stretches of Fraserburgh’s Kirkton Road, Cairnhill Drive and Middleburgh Road.

But the proposal attracted a total of 45 objections.

There was also a petition with more than 300 signatures submitted to Aberdeenshire Council.

Broch councillor Ian Tait said: “There’s no accident record to justify the expenditure of £30,000.”

But Aberdeenshire Council roads officer David Naismith said a “significant” number of drivers were travelling at higher speeds than the 30mph limit.

The top speed in Fraserburgh’s Kirkton Road was measured at 58mph. And the highest speed on the Strichen Road, which is also included in the plan, was 67mph, the Aberdeenshire councillor added.

Fraserburgh councillor Michael Watt said: “We have two options. We either wait until someone’s badly injured or killed and we come up with a cure.

“Or we take action now and we prevent it.”

The majority of objectors raised no complaints about 20mph speed limits – but slammed the proposals for speed bumps.

It was claimed the speed bumps would cause damage to vehicles and increase noise levels.

Banff and District councillor John Cox asked for further consultations to be made with Fraserburgh residents.

But members voted by four votes to three in favour of the scheme.

kduguid@ajl.co.uk