An Inverness pensioner left traumatised after a van crashed into his garden last month is furious the council’s plans for a 20mph zone do not stretch to his street.
There is currently an advisory 20mph limit in Kessock Avenue – but James Lawless, 72, said yesterday the “advice” is constantly flouted and leaves residents in peril of dangerous drivers.
The council’s road safety unit is currently working on a programme to broaden the enforceable 20mph zones for “traffic calming” purposes to areas including Merkinch and South Kessock.
However, residents have been informed by letter that accident data and speed count data reviewed in connection with the scheme “did not identify a requirement to extend the limit to Kessock Avenue.”
Mr Lawless, who wants an enforced 20mph limit, said: “It’s a slap in the face. They’re treating people here as third class citizens. I’ve paid council tax all my life and this is the way I’m treated.
“There’s a serious risk. It’ll take an unnecessary death – but I hope not – before they do something. They always seem to act after the event.
“There’s been a 20mph limit here for some years but nobody takes heed of it.”
A spokeswoman for the council said: “We’re planning to introduce enforceable 20mph speed limits in part of the Merkinch area of Inverness where there are currently 30mph restrictions.”
Enforceable signs are red circled signs. Kessock Avenue is categorised as a “slow zone” with an advisory 20mph speed limit. The signs show the 20 in a green circle.
Mr Lawless said he was still suffering broken sleep, some days after the drama in which a van careered off the road and crashed into a tree in his garden in the middle of the night before coming to a halt against his front door.
The van narrowly missed a gas pipe at the side of the house.
It was the second road accident ending up on his doorstep in three months. In July, a car crashed through another part of his garden fence and damaged a car parked in his driveway.
Police pledged to increase patrols in the area following numerous reports of crashes.