The Petitions Committee of South Lanarkshire Council has agreed to refer concerns about traffic calming measures in Carstairs Village to the council's Road Safety Forum for further technical assessment and community consultation.
Petition Spurs Review
The decision followed a petition submitted by Carstairs and District Community Council, which attracted 422 signatures from residents and supporters calling for changes to the existing traffic calming layout within the village. At the Petitions Committee meeting on June 29, representatives from the community council outlined residents' concerns about the scheme, which was introduced in 2022 to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
Key Concerns Raised
Among the issues raised were concerns over the effectiveness of the road build-outs, reports of dangerous driving behaviour, visibility issues and calls for a new consultation with residents on alternative traffic calming measures. Council officers responded by outlining the background to the project, explaining that the scheme followed a public consultation in 2021 and had since been subject to ongoing monitoring and discussions with the community council.
Additional Improvements Already Implemented
They also highlighted that a number of additional improvements had already been introduced, including speed countdown markers and a vehicle-activated speed sign, while further measures had been planned but placed on hold pending the outcome of the petition.
Committee Decision
After hearing submissions from both the petitioners and council officers, committee members agreed that the concerns warranted further consideration rather than bringing the matter to an immediate conclusion. The issue will now be referred to the council's Road Safety Forum, which will review the available evidence and consider what further actions may be appropriate.
Next Steps
Once that work has been completed, a further consultation with the community will take place before any recommendations are finalised. Councillors were told that discussions on individual traffic calming measures are expected to continue over a period of up to 18 months, with residents to receive updates as the review progresses.
The decision means no immediate changes will be made to the existing traffic calming layout, but the petition has secured a commitment for further technical assessment, continued engagement with the community and a fresh consultation before any future measures are agreed.
