Aberdeenshire Council will investigate concerns about the safety of a north-east road where a child was hit and killed by a van.
An online petition by Portsoy residents had been created in the wake of eight-year-old Iain Sturrock’s death on Seafield Street last Thursday which has since been backed by more than 800 people in an effort to highlight the road’s danger.
Last night, the local authority’s roads boss, Philip McKay, acknowledged the calls for something to be done and said that his team’s thoughts were with Iain’s family.
He said: “Aberdeenshire Council’s roads safety engineering unit will be meeting with Police Scotland in the coming weeks to review the circumstances.
“In addition, local roads officers will give full consideration to any requests made for a pedestrian crossing and a thorough review and assessment of the situation will be carried out early in the new year.”
The campaign for crossing measures has also been supported by local politicians.
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said: “I would certainly support the carrying out of a survey on Seafield Street by Aberdeenshire Council, as the roads authority, in order to ascertain how we may improve safety for pedestrians.
“I note that Seafield Street is much wider than most main streets and can present a particular challenge for both young and old in achieving a safe crossing.”
Banff councillor Ian Gray – a local resident – added: “I think it would be a positive thing, but there are implications. There’s got to be wide consultations with the community in regards to parking and the effect it might have on businesses.
“It’s getting extremely busy over certain times of the day. I’ve had requests quite recently from older people, particularly, who find it difficult to cross at peak times in the mornings and again in the evenings.”
Police are asking witnesses to the incident to come forward with any information they may have.
Iain’s family described the schoolboy, who had been a member of the local Cub Scouts, as a “lovely little boy”.
A service of thanks will be held in Portsoy Town Hall at 11am on Tuesday followed by a private internment.
