Aberdeenshire Council has ruled out carrying out further surveys on an Aberdeenshire bypass – despite there being a rise in the number of motorists flouting the speed limit.
The local authority carried out checks on the Ellon bypass, on the A948 Auchnagatt-Ellon road, earlier this summer which showed an increase in the number of people breaking the 60mph limit since November.
Despite the rise, there are no plans to put in a speed camera – or to carry out further checks.
Last night Councillor Gillian Owen said many residents had contacted her with concerns, and called for the road to be further monitored.
The Ellon councillor said: “The speed that some cars travel on that section of road is far in excess of 60mph and whilst the speed detectors do deter people from driving fast, they are now no longer there and residents are extremely concerned.
“The road has caused a large number of problems over the years, thankfully none of them have been fatal but I think the community feels it is only a matter of time.
“It is essential that the concerns of residents are put forward. Having lived in Portsoy Crescent and experienced the Knockothie junction day in day out, I know firsthand the issues that residents have to face and I am keen that this road be monitored.”
Mrs Owen also suggested the the road was only going to get busier as time went on.
“New developments are expected on the other side of the road which will ultimately mean traffic crossing the road as well and naturally the whole area will change,” she said.
“In the week in June which was surveyed, 7% of motorists were over the speed limit, to me this isn’t acceptable and nor is it to local residents.
“I think the authority and police need to look more closely at the figures and I am very disappointed that no one has any plans to implement any speed cameras in the area.”
In an e-mail to Mrs Owen, the council said: “The service appreciate that the percentage of driver exceeding the speed limit is a concern, however, this is an issue for Police Scotland to address and not the Council, should they consider it necessary.”
“As a result of the recent findings, backed up by the previous data, the service will not be carrying out further surveys unless something changes.”
A police spokeswoman said: “This is not a matter that we would deal with unless data about the offending drivers was passed on to us.
“In terms of implementing speed cameras and positioning them, that is down to the local council and Transport Scotland.”
