A project led by the Corsock community and supported by the Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham community council completed this week, with two new vehicle activated speed signs being installed in the village of Corsock.
This project came from concerns about the speed of traffic in the village. Local residents and the Corsock Kids Club led a community survey in December 2020 that highlighted an overwhelming level of public support for vehicle activated speed signage to be installed.
A quote was obtained for two Morelock solar powered signs, and the cost of their installation by D&G Council’s roads department. This, including an extended 5-year warranty, put the fundraising target at just over £10,000. £5,000 was secured from the Blackcraig Windfarm Community Benefit Fund (administered by the Glenkens & District Trust and Foundation Scotland) and a further £5,000 was secured from the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme. This, with a contribution from Community Council Funds, enabled the signs to be purchased and installed.
The signs have bluetooth compatibility, allowing data to be downloaded and analysed. In the first 4 days of operation, more than 850 vehicles entered the village, with more than a third arriving initially in excess of the 30mph speed limit. This data will remain under review by local groups as the issue of speeding in the village remains a concern. Regular summaries of the speed sign data gathered are being published through the Corsock & KPD Community Council twitter account (@CorsockKPD).
Corsock Kids Club initiated the project. Lindsay Stewart from the Club said:
“Thanks to all involved for making the village a safer place”
The project was supported throughout by Councillor Iain Howie. Seeing the new signs installed, Iain said:
“I would like to commend the Community in pursuing this project which hopefully will have the desired impact of reducing the speed of vehicles travelling through the village.”
Fiona Smith, Chair of Glenkens & District Trust said:
“The Glenkens & District Trust, supported by Foundation Scotland, wants to use the funds from the Blackcraig Windfarm to provide maximum benefit for the local community. We were impressed by the level of community support for this project and the steps taken to get matched funding. We hope this will reduce traffic speed in the village.”
Roland Stiven from the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme added:
“The Strategic Timber Transport Scheme aims to support projects that reduce the impact of timber transport and it is good to see a community making use of the support to develop initiatives such as this.”
Thanks are given to everyone involved in the project, particularly the Community Council, Charlotte Carson at the Council’s Roads department and James England, South of Scotland Timber Transport Officer.
