Speeds could be slashed on Newburgh’s Main Street after petition effort

A petition which was signed by more than 300 people calling for a north-east speed limit to be slashed will be discussed by councillors today.

Efforts to cut the speed of Newburgh’s Main Street ramped up last year after a woman was hit by a car while trying to cross the road.

Taryn Young, 33, was hit by a jeep and was left needing six staples to close a head wound.

Residents and Friends of Newburgh, eventually gathered 350 signatures to present to the local authority as evidence for a new speed limit.

In their letter to Aberdeenshire Council, the groups say that speeding has a been a “problem for years”.

“Unfortunately, many drivers ignore the limit,” they added.

“The threat of a fatal accident is always present.

“Many children walk to and from Newburgh Mather’s Primary School using Main Street which is another potential concern.”

Today, the Formartine area committee will consider reducing the limit to 20mph.

Any decision on the road would be subject to a report from the council’s roads team.

Councillor Isobel Davidson, who represents the ward, has previously branded proposed action of the route a “significant road safety issue”.