Issue - meetings

Update from Police Scotland

Inspector Bart Simonis provided the Forum with a verbal update on the ongoing work of the service. He advised that from April 2023 to January 2024 there had been 8 fatalities recorded on the road network, which was a decrease from the previous year where there had been 11 fatalities recorded. Inspector Simonis highlighted that the Police are aiming to promote road safety throughout the locality and are holding road safety events with one being held in Helensburgh on the 21 April and that they would be looking at holding similar events in Dunoon and Bute.

Inspector Simonis highlighted that specialist road policing units continue to deploy marked and unmarked vehicles across Argyll and Bute and that there had been an increase in detecting drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol across the area with an increase of 48.5% in comparison to the 5 year average. Inspector Simonis advised that the annual drink driving campaign ran from the 1 December 2023 to the 2 January 2024 and the number of roadside breath tests carried out by Police within the year increased by 21% from the previous year.

Kirsty Reid advised that adults are continuing to cycle along the pavements on Argyll Street, Dunoon which is causing danger to elderly pedestrians. Inspector Simonis advised that he would look at promoting and educating people on cycling and the responsibility of keeping themselves safe whilst on the road.

Councillor Sinclair highlighted that he had several members of the Communtity advising him of people driving at excessive speeds along the A815 during the early evening. Inspector Simonis advised that he would report this back to the roads policing team for them to add this road to their policing matrix.

Outcome

The Forum noted the information provided by Police Scotland.

Update from Police Scotland

Inspector Bart Simonis had to leave the meeting prior to this agenda item, the Committee Manager provided the following update on his behalf:

I have contacted all of the Speed Watch volunteers and asked for their permission to submit disclosure forms to Police Scotland Disclosure team, I am still waiting on several replies and will send out the disclosure forms after Christmas.

Kirsty Reid, Strachur Community Council advised that people are continuing to cycle along the pavements on Argyll Street, Dunoon which is causing danger for the elderly people.

Outcome

The Forum noted that the information provided by Police Scotland.

Update from Police Scotland

It was noted that there was no representative from Police Scotland at the meeting.

Sgt Eddie McGunnigal updated the forum on the Speed Watch campaign and invited community councils to meet with him individually or together to discuss this.  He also spoke regarding another initiative which involved 30mph signs for wheelie bins and informed the Forum that officers were conducting speed checks in the area, focusing on where there were complaints.

The Forum discussed speed limits at Sandbank and why the 40 mph zone could not extend fully into Sandbank but instead increased and reduced after the garage.

Outcome

Sgt McGunnigal agreed to raise concerns about speeding after 6pm on the A815 into Sandbank with the Traffic Department.