Warning signs are to be installed at a “danger” Inverness roundabout where a 58-year-old grandmother was killed earlier this year.
Phoebe Mackenzie was crossing the A9 southbound slip road at the Raigmore Interchange, near Inverness Retail Park, when there was a collision with a Mazda 6 car.
She was taken to the city’s Raigmore Hospital with serious injuries before being later transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she died of her injuries.
Family and politicians have since campaigned for improvements to be made to the hectic commuter route, which connects the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road with the A9 road connecting the Highland capital with Perth.
Transport Scotland has confirmed that two new warning signs will now be introduced by the end of next month.
One family member, who hopes a new crossing will be in place next year, told the Press and Journal it was “sad” that a tragedy had prompted action, but added: “It is a step forward, at the very least.
“Hopefully others will benefit from this.”
Family pay tribute to ‘loving mother and grandmother’ killed in Inverness road accident
Councillor Isabelle MacKenzie welcomed the move, and hoped more can be done in the future to improve the “danger roundabout”.
She added: “That roundabout is an engineering conundrum, but hopefully these warning signs will be of benefit and ensure others are aware of the risks there.
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“It is a busy route, used by commuters, shoppers, cyclists and walkers, but the slip road needs improved.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Our Operating Company, BEAR Scotland, will install warning signs on the A96 approach to Raigmore to highlight the potential presence of pedestrians crossing the A9 southbound merge slip road.
“This work is programmed to be completed by the end of May.”
The Scottish Government agency insisted improvements had been under review prior to the tragedy.
It has, since February 2018, been working with Highland Council on their project to improve active travel links in Inverness.
This includes the Raigmore Active Travel Enhancements (signals and cycle track improvements) scheme, which involves Raigmore Interchange.
A meeting was held in January to progress design plans for new routes to designed to remove conflicts between vehicles with pedestrians and cyclists, including the use of traffic lights.
Following the death of Mrs Mackenzie in February, in a statement released by police, the family said they were “saddened and in shock” following the passing of the “much loved mother and grandmother”.
They said: “Phoebe was a much loved mother, mother in law and grandmother, and will be missed greatly by all her family and friends.
“Our family is deeply saddened and in shock.”
