PLANS to install 24 new safety cameras across Scotland have sparked criticism after the A82 was not included in the proposals.

Transport Scotland’s plans to improve the network of speed cameras across the country, unveiled last week, included provision for one new camera near Dumbarton – on the A814 in Cardross.

But there are no plans for any new cameras on the A82 in the Dumbarton area – even though government statistics say there were 70 accidents, 13 of them serious, on the trunk road between Bowling and the Stoneymollan roundabout between 2015 and 2019.

Responding to the Reporter’s social media post regarding Transport Scotland’s announcement, one local responded: “Should be put on the A82 through Milton, sick fed up with people speeding through the village and causing accidents then the road closed is for hours” while another commented: “Should put one on Whiteford Road [in Bellsmyre] after the speed bumps end, some people think it’s a rally track after the bumps.”

Local MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The investment by Safety Camera Scotland to install a road safety camera on the Main Road in Cardross is a welcome step, as some drivers approach the area at excessive speed.

“This applies to the stretch of road before Cardross at Ardoch and I hope consideration will be given to a camera or other speed calming measures there.

“It is also the case that there is excessive speed along stretches of the A82 at various points, including at Milton, and I hope Safety Camera Scotland will review the data and support the installation of more cameras at key locations to make our roads safer.”

A spokesperson from Police Scotland’s safety camera unit said: “The camera enforcement locations deployed through the safety camera programme must be done so primarily where they have the greatest potential to reduce injury and collisions.

“Our speed enforcement sites are chosen on the basis of their injury/collision history and where speed or red-light running can be identified as a significant factor in the collisions.

“There are also minimum criteria to be met for collisions and speeds in this regard.

“Sites can be proposed at any time but to facilitate site section there is also an annual site selection process undertaken which looks to identify where we deploy cameras in the future, looking across the entire road network in Scotland.

“This process includes analysis and expertise from Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the relevant local authorities.

“Each year there is widespread demand from communities for safety camera sites to be set up on a precautionary basis but the principle of the programme is to address the most serious locations and that is where the priority must lie.

“There are a further five mobile camera sites along the A82 between Luss and Tarbet, and an average speed camera in operation between Crianlarich and Tyndrum. There are already a number of sites in operation throughout this route.”