Community / Traffic entering Lerwick too fast from old North Road, community councillor says
A LERWICK community councillor has suggested the speed limit between the A970 junction at the north exit of the town and the Hoofields area should be lowered to 40mph.
Gary Robinson said “traffic is entering the town far too fast” on that stretch of Ladies Drive, which drops from 60mph to 30mph with little warning.
He floated the 40mph idea at a meeting of Lerwick Community Council on Monday, suggesting it could lower to 30mph at the Marts junction.
The road joins onto the A970 at the top of three lanes at the north exit of Lerwick, and the 60mph limit drops to 30 as housing begins at the Hoofields junction.
The stretch includes a junction to the Staney Hill quarry.
Robinson suggested the issue is ever more important considering more houses are due to be built in the Staney Hill area in the future.
He added that red markings on the road at the 30mph change have been painted over.
Lerwick councillor Stephen Leask, who manages the Harbro branch at the Marts and is a self-proclaimed “expert” of the road, agreed and claimed it is not suited for 60mph driving anyway.
Fellow town councillor Amanda Hawick also highlighted it as an ongoing problem and one which has previously been raised by the community council.
“It’s turning into what seems to be a serious issue,” she warned.
Chairman Jim Anderson said the community council would write to the SIC to raise the matter again.
Robinson also said the piece of road at the junction to the Staney Hill quarry is currently in a “really horrendous state”.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.