A CONSULTATION is to be launched on the need for more safety measures at a notoriously dangerous Johnstone junction.

Two elderly women were knocked down at the junction of Walkinshaw Street and High Street in October, with one of them tragically losing her life and the other receiving extensive treatment in hospital.

Councillor Andy Doig had called on roads chiefs to ask the local community if they believe the town centre site should be made safer.

He pointed out that, as the junction is near a sheltered housing complex and a Post Office, a high number of pensioners use it.

Councillor Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, also claimed pedestrians need to have “eyes in the back of their head” when crossing the road.

Renfrewshire Council had previously stated it was not considering any extra safety measures following a site visit by officers and Police Scotland after the fatal accident.

However, it has now confirmed information will be released on a survey “in due course.”

Although bosses have not confirmed when the consultation will be launched or what it will entail, Councillor Doig has welcomed their decision, which he believes could save lives.

“One of the things I said to the head of service was that this junction has history,” he added.
“A couple of constituents had been in touch and said this had been a bad junction for years and it wasn’t the first time someone had been killed.

“The main Post Office is in the area and there’s a sheltered housing complex and a bus stop, so there’s a lot of elderly people about.”

A council spokesman said: “As we have previously indicated, while the police incident report found no road-related issues contributed to the tragic accident, we advised at the time we were happy to engage with the community on addressing any potential issues here and will bring forward further information on this in due course.”