Bill, 81, injured at'problem' junction

Fiona Howard • Published 15 Jul 2010 09:30

AN 81-year-old man was badly injured, and narrowly escaped death, in a fall at a controversial junction in Rosneath on Saturday.

Bill Slack was making his way home after a visit to the Co-operative store in the Clachan and had to cross the main road at the junction where the villagers have been campaigning to have a crossing installed.

Bill stepped out into the road and was half way across when he realised a car was coming at him round the corner and he tried to speed up to avoid being hit.

He tripped and fell, smashing his face into the road, and ramming the frame of his glasses into his nose.

Fortunately, the driver of the car managed to stop in time and Bill was helped into a nearby shop and ambulance was called.

Bill was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and was detained there for treatment and observation until Monday afternoon.

As he recovered at home he said: "I looked and thought the road was clear but when I got out into the road I realised that there was a car coming and I tried to get a trot on but fell flat on my face.

"I couldn't see the car because of the fence round the old building and the elder tree beyond it. We certainly need a crossing there but until we do I will certainly be looking twice before I cross the road there in the future."

Argyll and Bute Council has approved plans for a pedestrian crossing at the junction but cannot go ahead with installing it until the derelict old community centre at the corner is demolished.

Owners, the Co-op, have permission to demolish the building and replace it with a car park but despite repeated approaches by MSP Jackie Baillie, Councillor Kelly and the village community council they have so far refused to give any indication of when the demolition will begin.

Local councillor, Councillor Danny Kelly, said: "This is unfortunately another incident that has happened at this junction.

"I would firstly like to wish Bill all the best and a speedy recovery from this very serious accident. Having been in contact with the Co-op on a number of occasions they still have not come up with an answer as to the way or when they are going to be dealing with this building at this very dangerous junction on the B833 at Ferry Road and The Clachan.

"I would say it is time the Co-op started to listen to the residents and customers, who they are happy to their money from, and get this problem resolved once and for all. It has now gone on for in excess of 10 years and I don't think as a company they should allow it to continue."

He added: "I have asked for a meeting with the Co-op in the past and it has not happened. I would like take this opportunity to once again ask the Co-op to get in touch and I will be happy to meet with them along with members of the Rosneath and Clynder CC and ABC officials to discuss a way forward with this very serious problem with the junction and the eye sore in the middle of the village.

"It's time too for them to come out of their ivory tower and let us know what their plans are for the future of the business, the eyesore and the junction."

And community council chairman Robert MacIntyre said: "Bill's face is black and blue and he is covered in cuts. His hand and wrist are damaged and he was badly shaken but he is lucky to be alive.

"If the car hadn't been going quite slowly it wouldn't have stopped in time and there would have been a fatality.

"If there had been a crossing there then there would not have been a problem and this would never have happened."

He continued: "Bill was more than half way across the road before he saw the car because of the fence round the old community centre. It is time that the Co-op faced their responsibilities and did something about this building so that the village can have a proper crossing.

"They are happy to take our money but they are not willing to give anything back. They should be ashamed of themselves."

The Advertiser asked the Co-op for a comment but none was forthcoming at the time of going to press.

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