Lorry Drivers to Stage Rolling Roadblock on A9

LORRY drivers are currently considering creating a rolling roadblock on the A9 to protest against the installation of average-speed cameras.

Some of the controversial cameras are already in place between Inverness and Perth on the A9, motorists are already reporting longer journey times on the route, despite the devices having not even been switched on yet (due to be switched on in October).

The Lorry drivers claim the cameras are leading to more dangerous manoeuvres on the notoriously accident-prone road (dubbed the most dangerous in Scotland). One truck driver reported that

Truck driver Connor McKenna who is from Inverness, said motorists were slamming on their brakes when they spotted the speed cameras, He said drivers were ready to back the plan and added: “It is only a matter of time before there is an accident. People don’t understand the cameras.”

The 29-year-old led a successful campaign to increase the speed limit from 40mph to 50mph on the road for heavy goods vehicles. The campaign involved organising several rolling roadblocks to highlight the problem, including the threat of hitting Christmas deliveries, but that protest was dropped after progress was made.

Mr McKenna said about the proposed rolling road block on the A9: “We are looking at a go-slow but I need to speak to more drivers about what is happening.”

The plans have come under fire from Highland SNP MSP Dave Thompson who warned a go-slow on the road would be “utterly irresponsible” and added: “It will not do anyone any good.” he said he did not think cameras would cause motorists to drop their speed drastically and cause danger. “Average-speed cameras will ensure that people stick to the limit.”

The £2.5million scheme to install approximately 100 cameras between Dunblane and Inverness has been controversial since it was first announced by the Scottish Government last year. Ministers say the cameras will cut death toll and serious accidents on the road will decrease.

Opponents to the cameras claim that they will increase frustration which will lead to even more risky overtaking manoeuvres and increase the number of crashes.

Mike Burns, of Foyers, Inverness-shire, organised a petition with thousands of signatures calling for the scheme to be scrapped in favour of speeding up the plan to dual the whole road, which is backed by Highland MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.

Sources: scotsman

Average Speed A9 Cameras Already Curbing Drivers Before Switch On

One of Scotland's most notorious roads - the A9 has newly installed cameras that are not due to be switched on till October, however they are already helping to cut down on the number of speeding drivers. The number of motorists speeding on the Perth to Pitlochry stretch of the A9 has fallen from one in three to one in ten

The busy single carriageways statistics for fatal and serious road accidents are significantly higher than the national average. Installation of the cameras from Perth to Inverness began just last month, and the scheme is just one of a number of planned measures to improve safety on the main route connecting central Scotland with the Highlands by the A9 Safety Group. They are also trying to encourage safe overtaking on the route and improve driver awareness of speed limits.

Mike Burns, who is a spokesman for campaign group A9 Average Speed Cameras Are Not the Answer, said: "The SNP and Transport Scotland are deluding themselves that slowing down a road is a solution to resolving frustration and preventing overtaking where overtaking is the root cause of over 50% accidents.”

A petition calling for the average-speed camera scheme to be scrapped was recently dropped by the public petitions committee. The Scottish Government group decided nothing more could be done as the cameras are already in place.

The Scottish Government plans to create 80 miles of dual carriageway between Perth and Inverness by 2025.

Sources: STV News