A relatively cheap solution to the problem of the potential hazard
Along Dumbarton Road in Clydebank, between Kilbowie Road and Argyle Road there is Alexander Street that also meets with Dumbarton Road (Glasgow Road). This Street runs directly to the new (well, new enough) medical centre sited down towards the Clyde.
Consequently, the crossing point between Alexander Street and the medical centre enjoys (if that is the word) a considerable amount of pedestrian traffic as individuals alight from the nearby train station and bus stops in the parallel road to Dumbarton Road (Chalmers Street).
A survey of this unofficial crossing point was undertaken when one member of the Drumry and Linnvale Community Group witnessed a near accident there when a rather large lady with children in attendance stepped back from the middle verge (about 18 inches of ground) and a motor car sped by her rear just missing her.
During the four-hour survey, some 239 people crossed and recrossed at this point ignoring the traffic lights and the controlled crossing points within 30 yards on either side. It is simply human nature to select the shortest route; only one party walked from the end of Alexander Street to the adjacent lights and that was a wheelchair group. Twice also, vehicles stopped to allow pedestrians to cross.
Now, the traffic lights cannot be moved from their present positions; apart from the cost of doing so, they are needed where they are: the main set are at the end of Kilbowie Road, and the other set serve the crossing point for Clydebank College. However, there is a simple and relatively cheap solution to the problem of the potential hazard.
There is a marked pedestrian crossing between the Co-operative premises and the railway station in Chalmers Street and this one has railings along the kerb guiding pedestrian traffic to it and preventing them from crossing out with the designated crossing point. Similar railings along the pavement at Dumbarton Road facing the Health Centre Road would certainly encourage foot traffic towards the formal crossing lights either at the end of Kilbowie or at the entrance road to the college, thus minimising the danger at this point.
This suggestion has been put forward to the West Dunbartonshire Roads Department, but no formal reply has been received although the initial reaction was that it would cost too much to both instal and maintain. No figures as to costs were given but it is considered that setting such up would not be considerable and that maintenance would be minimal.
Well, the 12% rises given to the top-level council employees has to be paid for somehow as well as the 21% rise to the councillors. However, think of this; had the rather large lady been hit by that motor car, that car would have been a write-off and the driver may even have been injured. Perhaps the Council may give some further thought to the railings.