Wishart calls for change on Scotland’s “most dangerous” road

Oct 26 2010 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Wishart calls for change on Scotland’s “most dangerous” road

THREE people killed in a horror crash on Scotland’s “most dangerous” road have been named amidst calls from a prominent local politician that “more must be done” to improve safety.

The victims of Friday’s fatal accident on the A9, around half a mile north of Pitlochry near Killiecrankie, have been named as Denny couple James (73) and Anne (66) Forbes, and Scarborough man John Potter (63).

Emergency services were alerted to the scene of carnage shortly after midday when Mr Potter’s southbound Volvo S8 crossed the single-lane stretch into the path of the Forbes’ Vauxhall Astra heading in the opposite direction.

All three were pronounced dead at the scene – causing the carriageway to be closed for more than six hours.

The 47-year-old female driver of a Renault Clio, also involved in the incident, was airlifted to Ninewells hospital where she received surgery to her right arm for tendon and artery damage and was later discharged.

Fuelling the debate over safety on the notorious Perthshire road, the crash comes less than a fortnight after Kilsyth resident Roy Greene (41) was killed on October 11 on the same road following a collision between his van and a tipper truck.

Describing the A9’s safety record as “appalling”, Perth MP Pete Wishart demanded action be taken to prevent similar tragedies occurring in the future.

“I would like to send my sympathies to all of the families involved in this horrific and tragic accident, all of Perthshire is thinking about them,” he said.

“The A9 is regarded as the most dangerous road in Scotland and more must be done to make it safer.

“The Scottish Government has been good in ensuring that the dangerous crossings have been improved.”

Suggesting safety would be bettered if the entire stretch was expanded to two lanes, he added: “The road is dangerous because of the way it moves from a dual-carriageway into a single road in a haphazard way.

“I’ve been campaigning since I became an MP to improve this road, we need to see more improvements.”

A spokesperson for Tayside Police confirmed that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to the incident.