Councillors call for speed curbs after girl, 11, badly hurt in accident

Councillors are calling for speed restrictions and signage on a stretch of road in the South Mainland after an 11-year-old girl was seriously injured there on Tuesday.

It is understood the girl was knocked down by a car after getting off a bus near Mainland’s shop in Dunrossness. She was later flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she remains in a “satisfactory” con­dition. According to Lerwick police she is “improving”.

Councillor for the area Allison Duncan said the area of the accident is a well-known black spot which has been the scene of accidents in the past, including one to a child six years ago.

He said he has spoken about this with his fellow South Mainland councillors Rick Nickerson and Jim Budge, and yesterday they asked senior council officials for a 50mph sign for the road.

Mr Duncan said there is a lot of pedestrian activity in that area, in­cluding people going to the football field opposite Boddam Hall. “I’ve seen people run across the road without looking.” There are also children walking to the houses at Turniebrae, he said, “with cars going past at full speed”. He pointed out that to get to the shops in the area, Allan’s of Gillock or Mainland’s, it was necessary to cross the road. There are also two churches nearby.

Additionally, he said, the three councillors will be asking for increased signage.

Inspector Angus Macinnes of Lerwick police said: “Police would fully support any road safety meas­ures, including more signage and a reduced speed limit in built-up areas.”