MP Katy Clark has sent a letter to Transport Scotland and Transerv following the latest road accident to occur on the A78, this time at Seamill.

Eyewitness described that on Friday June 6, a queue of traffic had built up as a car was waiting to turn into Seamill Hydro. Another vehicle then came down Kinnin Brae and collided. The collision was described as serious with individuals having to be taken to hospital.

Speaking about the collision Katy Clark, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, said: “I have consistently raised my concerns about the A78 road and the numerous collisions that occur on it. Since Friday I have been contacted by several constituents, who either saw the aftermath of the accident or reported it me.

“On 15th March, I wrote to Transport Scotland and Transerv about this specific stretch of road. In it, I specifically stated that ‘the road is not being suitably maintained and in its current format the A78 is inadequate in safely controlling traffic and reducing risks of road accidents.’ I then asked, ‘what steps the Scottish Government are undertaking to address the risks that the A78 has presented.’ “In a reply dated 7th April, Transport Scotland it was stated that ‘In the last 10 years, there has been 13 reported road accidents within the village, with 9 slight and 4 serious accidents. There is no indication from the available evidence that speed was a contributory factor.’ However, in my initial letter I did not indicate that speed was necessarily the main issue but that maintainance and format were contributing to the accidents.

“The Transport Scotland letter concludes by stating that the Scottish Government and Transerv are working with local community groups such as TRAMPS WK to ‘develop measures’. It is clear however, that no significant work has since been undertaken by the Scottish Government in this matter, but this most recent accident draws attention to the urgent need for action to be taken on the A78.” According to the TRAMPS WK website, it states that they are ‘applying key laws, along with the government’s Guidance in Setting local speed limits and established risk management practice, the Tramps WK campaign has proposed cost-conscious steps to reduce systemic hazards and accidents on nine intervals of West Kilbride’s roads.” Their work involves photographic and physical road surveys, and identifying and ranking hazards and risks, along with mitigation steps.