COUNCIL chiefs have been accused of putting lives at risk after failing to fix a vehicle activated speed sign at the entrance to a quiet Renfrewshire village.

Councillor Andy Doig said he is becoming “increasingly annoyed” about the broken sign near to Howwood Parish Church, in Main Street, which is meant to warn drivers of the 30mph limit as they approach the village.

There are signs at both ends of the village; one coming off the Beith Road from Johnstone and one by the kirk.

At one stage both were broken, but the former was eventually fixed while the latter still needs attention.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the sign has been broken for around two years.

Cllr Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, said he is becoming concerned for the safety of pupils travelling to Howwood Primary as speeding is a persistent issue in the area.

The Independent member demanded council officers tend to the sign immediately.

He said: “I really am quite a patient man, but I am getting increasingly annoyed at the failure of Renfrewshire Council to replace a flashing speed sign, just outside Howwood Kirk, after a period of over two years since I first raised it on behalf of a constituent in the village.

“At that time, the sign off the Beith Road from Johnstone was not working either at the other entrance to Howwood, so there was a double danger to Howwood residents.

“However, fairly quickly the flashing speed sign at the Beith Road entrance was replaced, so I would like to know when the one outside the kirk is being replaced.

“This is just not good enough as speeding through the centre of Howwood is a significant and persistent issue which is frequently raised with me, both by Howwood Community Council and other constituents.

“I am calling on Renfrewshire Council to replace the faulty sign to help keep my Howwood residents as safe as they can be, particularly as a lot of school kids walking to Howwood Primary cross the Main Street area, so we are talking about the safety of the lives of adults and children alike here and I am sure the council will agree this is very important.”

Howwood is situated just off the busy A737 and this is only adding to concerns about the speed drivers area are going at before they enter the village.

Vehicle-activated speed signs are designed to brightly flash up the speed limit as they detect a driver approaching an area too fast.

Renfrewshire Council has said the sign is in line to be fixed.

A council spokesman said: “Speeding is a crime and anyone with any concerns should contact Police Scotland on 101. A contractor has recently been appointed to repair road signage, including the one the councillor refers to, by the end of March.”

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