A revolutionary new red light traffic system which aims to deter speeders is set to be introduced in Fairlie.

Cunninghame North MP Kenneth Gibson said that Transport Scotland were ‘very excited’ about the new traffic light technology which would be a first in Scotland to enforce driver behaviour. It is expected that the scheme could be implemented in 2015.

Mr Gibson explained to the audience at the Fairlie Safer Roads group, which met in the Millennium Hall in Fairlie Parish Church recently, that the traffic lights would turn to red if the sensors read that the vehicle was travelling over the 30mph limit. In effect, if the traffic didn’t slow down in time, it would then be breaking the law by going through a red light.

“It was first discussed in April, and it would be a first as it has not been introduced anywhere else in Scotland,” said Mr Gibson.

The Fairlie Safer Roads group are planning to invite the area officer for Transport Scotland to a future meeting to discuss their campaign.

Mr Ron Gilchrist, who asked that Fairlie Community Council made the A78 a regular topic matter on the agenda at every Fairlie Community Council meeting five years ago, said that while it was a positive measure, he still believed that a 20 miles per hour option for Fairlie should be pursued.

Mr Gilchrist pointed out to the audience that the the village main road as a whole is only one mile long, so that means it only takes one minute to drive through as it currently stands. He stated the opinion that reducing the speed limit to 20 miles per hour will make very little difference to commercial operations using the road.

Mr Gibson suggested invited Mr George Henry, the area manager of Transport Scotland, to the next Fairlie Safer Roads meeting.

Asked about his recent meeting with Fergussons Coal, Mr Gibson said that the coal suppliers company were willing to look into a Freight Quality Partnership which aims to develop an understanding of freight, delivery and servicing issues and to promote constructive local solutions.

He added that North Ayrshire Council, who the Fairlie Safer Roads group were visiting to hand in their safer roads petition as we to press, could also play an important part in bringing improvements to the road situation. There have been many complaints concerning the noise of lorries early in the morning.

Mr Gibson said: “Local authorities can put in abatement notice on occupier so for instance the council can ask its environmental health department if they do consider any area of the road is causing a nuisance which directly impacts on local people because people can’t sleep because of the noise, so I think that is something else that can be taken forward.”