Bardowie Roads Action Group in plea after fatal road crash on Balmore Road

The Bardowie Roads Action Group formed five years ago but they claim efforts to regulate motorists in the area have been ongoing for decades.

Now, they have come together again following the tragic death of 34-year-old Shaun McLaughlin on Balmore Road in East Dunbartonshire last week.

People gathered at the junction of Balmore Road and Station Road to demand action

They are asking for a reduced speed limit to be introduced

Member Penny McElhinney said: “We’d like to express our sympathies to the family of the gentleman who has passed away. It has been a real shock even though we could see it for a long time that there could be a fatality on this road and there have been a lot of accidents.

“This is our worst fear and it just highlights how dangerous this road is.”

Linda Whitehall, 52, added: “We have campaigned for roads crossings, for traffic lights, and there is not the political will.

“We have always said, ‘is it going to take a child fatality for change to happen?’

“Well, now there has been a fatality.”

Linda Whitehall, from Bardowie

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Just before 1am on April 14, emergency services were alerted after a silver Ford Fiesta was involved in a one-car-crash near the Allander Toll roundabout, near Bardowie.

Four days later, the driver, Mr McLaughlin, sadly died in hospital.

Balmore Road is an A-road that goes across the village in East Dunbartonshire towards Glasgow.

John and Jean Hanson

John and Jean Hanson have lived in the village since 1972.

The pair claimed: “This road has always been difficult.

“Coming out to this road, just because of the amount of traffic, is a nightmare, especially on the way to Kirkintilloch.

“The number of cars passing by is crazy, so many big trucks every day.”

Rachelle McKimmon and her daughter Phoebe, left and Hazel Maxwell with daughter Ava

Rachelle McKimmon and her daughter Phoebe, left and Hazel Maxwell with daughter Ava

Local mother Rachelle McKimmon said: “Nobody respects the speed limit. We’ve had dangerous overtakes even as we are trying to turn into our own streets.

“We are constantly fearing that a car is going to veer over us. There has been so many collisions and crashes, and obviously the worst last week was the fatality.

“Our neighbours’ garden walls were also demolished. If somebody was on that pavement I dread to think what would have happened.

“I am constantly worried about my daughter. When I am going to my friend’s, which is a two-minute walk, I often just get in the car because I am too scared to walk on the sideway with my children.”

Balmore Road, near Glasgow

The road has a 30-mile-per-hour

Currently, there is a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit on this stretch but it is claimed that drivers frequently ignore the rule and locals often have to take extra measures to ensure their safety such as driving their kids to the school bus stop.

“I think everybody that lives in the village could tell you several stories about near-misses that have happened.”

Mrs Whitehall added: “Enough is enough. My child comes here and crosses this road every day.

“The primary school children are picked up at this bus stop that has been demolished before by a car.”

The campaign group has been in touch with East Dunbartonshire Council, as well as local police officers to update the driving conditions but no action has been taken so far.

Five years ago the Glasgow Times told of a similar plea to reduce speed limits on Balmore Road’s North Glasgow end after three people died near its junction with Skirsa Street in Lambhill.

In the Bardowie area, according to the action group, this is the first accident that claimed a life but crashes are frequent. 

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Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland Region (Image: Colin Mearns)

Local MSP Pam Gosal visited the community recently to listen to their complaints and try to move the issue forward.

She said: “It is time we saw further action to tackle dangerous driving through Bardowie village.

“Local residents have been highlighting these issues for years but despite numerous accidents, no action has been taken to slow traffic through the village. The tragic death that took place on this stretch of road earlier this month should serve as a wake-up call.

“That is why I will be formally raising the concerns of local residents, and the Bardowie Roads Action Group, with East Dunbartonshire Council.

“It is clear more needs to be done to calm traffic along this road and the council should consider all available options to do this.”

Damaged fence and tyremarks near to where the accident happened on Balmore Road

Balmore Road roadsign

Ann Davie, East Dunbartonshire Council’s depute chief executive, said: “The council has met with local residents in the past and a considerable
amount of work has been undertaken in the area.

“Road safety is a priority and we are always happy to listen to concerns and suggestions about potential improvements which comply with road and traffic regulations.

“Due to the ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate to
comment on the circumstances surrounding the road traffic incident in the early hours of April 14 on Balmore Road. We will continue to liaise with Police Scotland during its investigation.”

Sergeant Adnan Alam, of the Glasgow Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with Shaun’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“Our enquiries into the crash are continuing. I’d urge anyone who was in the area with dashcam to check their systems and provide any relevant footage to us as soon as possible, or any witnesses to the crash who haven’t yet spoken to officers should come forward as soon as possible.”