Road carnage shames Barra into speed review

IT WINDS and twists through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Scotland. The A888 is a narrow ribbon of tarmac that curls and loops around the inlets and headlands of the Hebridean island of Barra.

But the 13-mile stretch of road now has an unenviable reputation. After six deaths from car crashes in the past five years it has become, mile for mile, the most dangerous highway in Britain.

Across Scotland, Barra’s death toll would amount to 15,700 people killed over the same period, around 10 times higher than the actual toll of fatalities. Community councillors on the tiny island are now campaigning for a 20mph reduction in the speed limit to prevent such an unnecessary death toll.

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"Over the last five years there have been six people killed in crashes on an island where there should be no fatal road accidents," said Jessie MacNeil, the islander leading the campaign.

"The main problem is that people are speeding on a largely single-track road that was not designed for it. Some are treating it like a racing circuit but we hope we can bring the deaths to an end by bringing the speed limit down."

Deaths from excessive speeds on roads not designed for fast-moving cars is far from rare in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. According to the motoring organisation the AA, 76% of all fatalities occur on rural roads.

Police believe that excessive speeds, as well as not wearing seatbelts, are the common thread in the litany of deaths on Barra. Alcohol has also played a part in some.

Six deaths in car crashes on an island with a population of just over 1,000 is a staggering attrition rate. The first of the series took place in July 1998 when Joseph MacLeod, a 19-year-old from the neighbouring island of Vatersay, was killed when his car overturned.

A year later, two young men, Donald John MacNeil, 22, and 27-year-old Michael MacNeil, were killed when their car plunged 50ft over a cliff.

In April 2001, Donald MacNeil died after being involved in a crash in the early hours of a Saturday morning. The car, driven by a 15-year-old boy, failed to turn at a junction, struck a rock and caught fire. He later died in hospital.

In February last year, two fishermen were killed when their truck overturned. No other vehicle was involved in any of the cases.

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Many locals marvel that the death toll is not higher. In the past five years there have been more than 80 accidents, many of them involving serious injuries or remarkable escapes.

The two community councils are currently seeking majority support for a speed limit revision. Police and motoring organisations are in full support.

Donald Manford, convener of the transportation committee of Western Isles Council, said: "The concern is excessive speed on a road that is basically a cart track with tarmac. Bringing the speed limit down will help."

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