Campaigners on Speyside are still hopeful their pleas for a crash barrier on a “cliff edge” will be listened to.
A petition with 657 signatures was handed to Moray Council last month calling for extra safety measures at the Parkmore Brae bends near Dufftown.
Fears about the risk of a major accident at the sharp curves on the B9014 have increased after trees were felled two years ago.
Yesterday, the council’s economic development and infrastructure committee unanimously agreed the campaigners’ warranted further investigation.
Members were persuaded by a plea from Dufftown Community Council member Dennis Dalgarno, who objected to the 60ft drop being described as an “embankment”.
He said: “It’s more of a ravine due to the nature of the steep sides. Even the slowest moving vehicle would be hard-pressed to stop in the event of an accident at the cliff edge.”
Mr Dalgarno repeated his call for a crash barrier to be installed.
He added: “The cost of a life is far more than the price for a safety barrier.”
Following a vote, councillors will now visit Parkmore Brae to look down the steep slope themselves before the issue is discussed at a full meeting of the council.
After the meeting Mr Dalgarno said he was “encouraged” by the development and planned to speak to councillors again during their visit.
Speyside Glenlivet member Pearl Paul led the calls for a special hearing on the barrier plan while other members felt it should be referred to senior council officers.
Local authority transport manager Nicola Moss argued extra warnings had already made the bend safe enough following the trees being felled.
She added: “There is a significant slope there, we recognise that. There is a stronger likelihood of severe injury from an impact with a tree compared with going down a slope but every situation is different.”
The official explained a barrier could be installed at the top of the slope for £30,000, but if the edge of the road required widening the cost could run to “several hundred thousand pounds”.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has joined calls for more investigations to be done.
He said: “I’m pleased the option of improvements has been kept on the table given the strength of local feeling that something needs to be done to make the brae safer.”
