DRIVERS sped through a village at 60mph after a broken road sign was left facing the wrong way.

For a month residents in Bridge of Weir risked their lives crossing the road as vehicles raced through.

The angry residents contacted their MSP about the problem on the A761 Kilmacolm Road on January 18.

But it wasn't until the Evening Times got involved and contacted Renfrewshire Council that the matter was resolved with a temporary 30mph sign.

The new sign has been placed on the grass verge and in front of a 30 sign which is painted on the road.

Residents initially contacted Renfrewshire MSP Derek Mackay about the problem, claiming it was only a matter of time before a serious accident happened because drivers were unaware they were in a 30mph zone.

In fact, an accident was reported – on the opposite side of the road from the broken sign -–on January 28, when a parked car was smashed and written off.

Mr Mackay said: "This is an area where young children make their daily commute to school both by foot and on buses that use this road.

"It must be said however, that the drivers are not to blame for the excessive speeds as they are only obeying a sign that's in front of them.

"This is a situation that should have not occurred and should have been rectified much sooner.

"Residents reported it, no action, I reported it, no action. My staff chased it up, still no action. A press inquiry goes in, and suddenly it gets sorted."

Renfrewshire Council's environment convener, Eddie Devine, said: "While this matter was reported to us, we have to programme in this type of repair in the most cost-effective way.

"We did not consider the sign to cause an immediate danger given there is another sign clearly showing the 30mph limit on the other side of the road.

"The accident referred to involved a car travelling in the other direction, and we don't believe the broken sign would have been a factor in this.

"Our engineers have now been on site and removed the sign. The damaged pole will be reinstated as soon as possible."

A spokesman for the AA said: "The national speed limit sign sets the limit for a particular road and depends on the type of road. For a single carriageway for cars that means 60mph.

"But the thing to bear in mind is that if the sign has been turned the wrong way, drivers should also apply common sense and lamp posts give you an indication that you're entering a 30mph built-up area."

ewan.fergus@eveningtimes.co.uk

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