Hundreds of residents have backed a campaign for a new crossing at a danger spot within a Mearns town centre.
A petition urging Aberdeenshire Council to take action on Stonehaven’s Evan Street, where it meets Market Square and the junction to Barclay Street, has now been signed by 800 people.
Last night locals said it was a “miracle” nobody had been injured at the spot.
And they claimed it has been made more dangerous by increasing traffic coupled with a lack of places for pedestrians to cross the road.
The Stonehaven and District Community Council took to the streets to garner signatures for the petition, which has won the support of town centre businesses.
They hope the local authority will bring either a pedestrian or zebra crossing to the danger spot, or review traffic management in the town.
Owner of Evan Street vintage sweet and ice cream shop E.Giulianotti, Marjory Stephen, said: “I see people, particularly elderly people and people with prams, trying to get across the square. It is difficult. Traffic is really fast all the time.
“A lot of people are not observing the speed limit, and really with lots of pedestrians about it is a worry. Traffic is increasing all the time.
“You take your life in your hands crossing the road sometimes. I am sure there has been some near misses. It is concerning and just seems to be getting worse and worse.”
Chairman of the community council, Phil Mills-Bishop, said it is a “miracle” no one had been hurt at the junction yet.
He added: “We went out and sat on the corner and collected signatures. It didn’t take that long, in about a week we got 800 signatures.
“It is not only a crossing issue, people are not observing the speed limit there. Wing mirrors have been clipped. It is not only the volume of traffic it is the speed of traffic. It is an accident waiting to happen.”
A council spokesman said: “Aberdeenshire Council welcomes any work by local communities to develop proposals that seek to increase attractiveness of our town centres.
“We are currently investigating options for an improved pedestrian facility at this location.
“On completion of this work, we look forward to hearing the views of local residents and businesses on the preferred option and will be happy to advise on the technical and legal issues associated with the justification for and provision of zebra crossings.
“As with all infrastructure works on our transport network there are often competing priorities that will impact on how projects are funded.”