Press release

January 25th, 2009

Stop the Cloch

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is calling for action to be taken to reduce the accident rate on a dangerous coastal road.

The MSP wrote to traffic police after a spate of accidents on the A770 Cloch Road in Gourock.

A number of constituents have contacted the MSP about the Cloch Road.

Mr McNeil was heartened to hear that officers have agreed to investigate the issue and provide a report on the accident rate.

Sergeant Craig Alexander, the newly appointed traffic management boss for the area, is to look into the road problems.

The MSP hopes any forthcoming report might provide a starting point in dealing with the car accidents on the road.

He said: “I am pleased that the police have taken on my concerns about the Cloch Road.

“Local people will know this stretch of road is one that has to be used carefully, with its winding roads and blind corners.

“Sadly, a number of lives have been lost on this road and I believe it is time that we looked at what can be done to improve safety.

“I look forward to seeing what the police come back with and hope we can work together with the community to bring down the number of serious accidents on the Cloch Road.”

The MSP is also to meet with road bosses next month over the A78 Inverkip junctions.

He was unhappy with the outcome of a road study into the high accident rate at the north, south and marina junctions on the A78 at Inverkip last year and nowboth agencies will meet with the MSP and the local community council to discuss the road safety problem.

“I am delighted that Transport Scotland has taken up my invitation to engage with the community on an important issue that has been ongoing for some time now.

“Like many, I was disappointed with the outcome of the road study and believe a better solution could have been achieved if this community had been properly consulted.

“So this presents an opportunity to allow the people of Inverkip, those who understand these difficulties best, to influence the implementation of any road safety measures and hopefully help to reduce the accident rate on this road.”

ENDS