Transport Scotland have offered to come to Fairlie to carry out a review of the new speed aware traffic lights, after safety concerns were raised by residents.

We recently reported that motorists coming out of The Causeway have been concerned about people jumping the red lights.

The matter was discussed at the recent Fairlie Community Council meeting at the Semple Centre.

Caroline Briggs, who leads the steering group Safe Roads and Pavements in Fairlie, has been in contact with Transport Scotland, who have reported that they are willing to visit the village to carry out a review.

The speed aware traffic lights, which were introduced as part of a five year trial in April, have registration plate recognition, but it is not used for enforcement at the present time.

Transport Scotland, when they were introduced the lights, stated that they would be able to determine from analysis if particular types of vehicles were speeding or not.

Community councillor John Osbourne stated that he had received a response from Inspector Joe Conway of Largs Police in relation to villagers’ concerns, and that the area is to be given more attention by the police.

Another councillor David Telford suggested that the vehicle registration plate system should be used by the police if drivers were jumping the lights.

Caroline Briggs pointed out that there was already such a system installed, although it wasn’t used for enforcement, but rather to provide information on specific types of vehicles which may be breaking the law.

Acting chairman Danny McArthur added that the traffic lights were put in place as a trial run, and it may be difficult to provide enforcement on that basis.

Caroline stated that there had been wide interest from the likes of politicians, and other groups and bodies, to attend Transport Scotland’s visit to Fairlie, but stated that she would try and obtain a date for the review to be carried out.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We are continuing to monitor the effectiveness of the system which aims to improve driver behaviour and road safety in Fairlie. We will be presenting this data to the local community in October and initial observations suggest behaviour at the traffic signals has been good. There are currently no plans to use number plate recognition technology.”