A community bid for road safety improvements at a Castle Douglas junction finally appears to have paid off.
A £3.7million Active Travel proposal to replace the roundabout on King Street with four way traffic lights was ditched earlier this year after strong opposition from locals, who believed “signs and lines” were all that were needed.
And now the local authority has agreed to repaint road markings and look into installing new signs in a bid to boost road safety there.
Tammie Kirk, who helped campaign against the original proposal, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic and we’re just glad common sense is finally prevailing.
“The community has made it crystal clear all along that what we wanted was not the excessive Active Travel proposal but signs and lines.
“It feels like it’s taken a really long time to get to that point, but we’re obviously delighted it seems to be about to happen and the sooner the better for everyone’s safety.”
There have been reports of some drivers trying to take the roundabout – which links Ernespie Road, Queen Street, King Street and Oakwell Road – in the wrong direction.
And accident fears have risen since Aldi opened its new store on Oakwell Road earlier this month.
Ms Kirk added: “Vehicles approaching the roundabout don’t understand it is a roundabout and there are a lot of photos showing vehicles approaching the roundabout from the wrong way.
“We’ve been saying to the council from the very start that the lines need repainted and there should be signage for people approaching the roundabout, especially now that Aldi has opened and there is increased traffic in that part of town.
“I’ve personally seen a gentleman try to go round the wrong way and turn off into King Street into the direction of oncoming traffic.”
The News understands the lines will be repainted in the first part of 2025 – weather depending – and there are also plans to look at improving both road markings and signs at the roundabout.
Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor Pauline Drysdale, said: “I’m relieved that the council will be instigating positive improvements next year as the community have been requesting signs and lines to improve safety at the roundabout for some time.
“Please be aware that these works will possibly be in late February or March as the better weather approaches.
“I’d like to thank the council for their clear communication and attention to the matter.”
A council spokesman said: “The council and SWestrans Active Travel teams have acknowledged that there was limited community support for the Active Travel concept designs produced for the roundabout in Castle Douglas.
“It was always intended that the Local Place Plan would guide the next steps for improvements in Castle Douglas and support the community to deliver the appropriate outcomes and aspirations identified in the LPP.
“The council’s roads service office in Castle Douglas will assess options for new markings/signage to improve road safety, and undertake road markings/lining works and improvement measures in Q4 of 2024/25.”