Resident calls for action on Milngavie Road after traffic light incident

In October last year, an incident involving two cars on Milngavie Road saw one of them burst into flames after it collided with an electrical junction box.

This prompted calls for the road layout to be looked at, with some people suggesting the speed limit should be reduced to 20mph.

Last week there was another incident on Milngavie Road in which it appears someone crashed into the traffic light outside McDonald’s knocking it nearly horizontal.

It is unknown at this stage exactly what happened, it appears to have taken place sometime late on Thursday or early on Friday, but Police Scotland say they have no record of an incident at that location on either day.

Local resident Michael Kinsella came across the damage as he walked to the shops on Friday afternoon.

He decided to report it to East Dunbartonshire Council at around 6pm that day, and was told it had been unaware until that time.

Michael said: “Yet again there was a crash on Milngavie Road, very close to the location of the previous incident.

“East Dunbartonshire Council need to take action to ensure the road is safe for non-car users. The road is getting busier every day as lockdown eases, but they can’t just rely on congestion.

“I worry that there will be another fatal crash like the one on Manse Road, which happened despite concerns being raised by Bearsden Primary School parents.

“The effort McDonald’s has put in to prevent traffic turning again the arrows is helpful, but not that useful, as they only have three cones and no powers to monitor the traffic – it really is up to the council to act.”

The council are investigating the incident and says it will take whatever action is required.

Thomas Glen, depute chief executive - Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, said: “As is the case with any such incident, we are working with Police Scotland and will investigate - taking action as required, potentially including bollards in advance of the crossing.

“We are unable to speculate on potential causes at this time, however, previous incidents we have been made aware of did not identify road design as a contributory factor.”