HELENSBURGH and Lomond politicians have given their backing to a petition which calls for increased safety measures on an “accident plagued” road on the Rosneath peninsula.

The petition to improve the B833 Garelochhead-Coulport road has been launched by Rosneath resident Claire Fletcher after a fatal accident near the village earlier this year.

Claire, a mum-of-three, knew Lisa Fleming, who died in a two-car crash on the road on July 31.

As previously reported in the Advertiser, Lisa, 32, was driving south along the B833 towards Clynder when a car travelling north crashed into her vehicle.

Emergency services attended but Lisa was pronounced dead at the scene.

Claire told the Advertiser this week: “She was also a mother and has left behind her husband, who she recently married, along with her two children.

“Many in the community have been affected by the accidents on this road over the years.

“I travel it daily and my daughter travels it on weekdays so that she can attend school in town, as do many other local teens.

“I feel that improving the safety by installing barriers on the full stretch, plus the painting of the road markings and installing new cats eyes could help prevent accidents, and improve the chances of getting out safely if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident.

“Safety measures could mean more people survive these incidents.”

Rosneath has a population of around 700, but the petition has already received 1,125 signatures – and has garnered the support of the area’s MP Brendan O’Hara and MSP Jackie Baillie.

Mr O’Hara said: “I was in contact previously with the head of roads and amenity services about this road in August and I also spoke to one of the local councillors who then met with him shortly thereafter.“I understand there has been an investigation following the recent, tragic fatal accident and the options to drastically improve safety have to be looked at. But this is not a new issue and I raised this last year to ascertain what could be done to improve road safety and reduce speed.

“I understand the difficulties in patrolling and speed-trapping but some form of action needs to get under way.

“Whilst I’m normally inundated with petitions and campaigns, this is one that I very much welcome and I support Clare Fletcher in her efforts here. We have seen only too tragically what can happen on that road and it’s right that something is done as soon as possible.”

Voicing her support, Ms Baillie added: “I am happy to support Claire Fletcher’s road safety campaign on the B833. In recent months I held roving surgeries in Kilcreggan and Rosneath and it was clear that many residents are concerned about road maintenance and safety on the peninsula.

“People who are unfamiliar with the area or inexperienced drivers will not feel confident driving on this stretch of road, particularly in winter with darker nights and icy conditions.”

Local people have been quick to offer their support to the petition online.

Supporter Avril Turner, from Rosneath, said: “There are too many crashes happening, sometimes through careless driving, others through poor road surfaces etc. I’ve seen at least four crashes in the last few months, I worry about my own safety, especially on the dark wet nights we’ve been getting lately.”

Joy Penrose-Stupart, who also supported the petition, said: “As well as a resident I am a community first responder who has to travel the road in the dead of night to get to patients in Garelochhead. It’s a scary road when you can’t see the floods and other dangers. Lights and crash barriers please.”

The petition was directed at the Scottish Government but B roads are the responsibility of the local authority.

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council said: “Our extensive road network is regularly monitored and where repairs are required, these are scheduled into our maintenance programme and any emergency repairs that crop up dealt with as a priority.

“We have a £3.6 million capital road works programme. We would like to do everything our communities want us to do but at a time when councils face significant financial challenges, it is not always possible.

“We will of course listen to concerns or requests local residents may want to raise with us.”

Inspector Matthew Webb, from Helensburgh police station, said police would support all road safety measures provided they are viable and sustainable. He added: “We would urge motorists to drive to conditions and adapt their driving to suit. Rule 154 of the Highway Code states: ‘take extra care on country roads and reduce your speed at approaches to bends, which may be sharper than they appear, and at junctions and turnings, which may be partially hidden. Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, slow-moving farm vehicles or mud on the road surface. Make sure you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. You should also reduce your speed where country roads enter villages’.”

To sign the petition visit www.change.org/p/scottish-government-make-the-b833-safer