Hundreds of locals in East Dunbartonshire have attended an organised march for “safer streets” after a cyclist was killed in a crash.
Una Brandreth, a mother from the Stafford area of England, was pronounced dead at the scene following a collision with a lorry on Manse Road on the morning of March 19.
Residents held a silent vigil in March to mark the 56-year-old’s death with an online petition reaching more than 2,000 signatures calling for improved road safety in the area after a spate of incidents.
Organisers were joined by hundreds of locals including families and businesses on Saturday, May 11 to walk through the town.
Rory Crawford, an organiser of the march, told STV News: “A number of us sadly witnessed what happened a couple of months ago.
“Everyone has a story – a near miss, an actual collision, or somebody they knew who had been hurt.
“Its not right. We don’t have to choose this.
“We can choose to design and live in different towns and there is an opportunity to do it.”
Police Scotland carried out a physical and digital reconstruction of the crash last month and confirmed on Tuesday enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
The male driver of the lorry was not injured in the crash.
STV NewsGillian Johnston, a local parent, said: “I think there’s a long list of things that would make Bearsden a safer place.
“It includes traffic calming measures, reducing speed limits, making it clear that some roads are just not suitable for HGVs to be travelling down.
“Improved infrastructure for cycle lanes, living neighbourhoods – there’s a long list of things and I think all of them need to be considered.”
A statement from Ms Brandreth’s family released by Police Scotland last month read: “Una was a much-loved sister, mother, and daughter, and will be much missed by everyone who knew her.
“We are asking for privacy at what is a very difficult time for us all as we come to terms with our loss.
“We would like to say that we are massively grateful to all the emergency services that were involved in this tragic incident and to everybody else that stopped to help Una.”
Police ScotlandAngela Bellmooney, who set up the online petition, said in March: “In the span of ten days there have been three serious traffic accidents in Bearsden involving pedestrians or cyclists being knocked down.
“On Boxing Day 2019, a family of six were mowed down on Manse Road with one person being killed.
“There will have no doubt been many more near misses.”
Campaigners claim there is only one traffic safety measure on Manse Road, where the cyclist died – a flashing warning sign signalling to cars going too fast.
They claim it was “covered by hedges” and had been not been “functioning properly” over the past two years.
“Mangled barriers” at nearby Bearsden Cross were described as “another reminder of dangerous driving and poor traffic management”.
Ms Bellmooney added: “The first duty of a local council is community safety.
“Parents and residents have repeatedly called on the council to take action but to date the response has been dismissive and inadequate.
“We pay our council taxes expecting better than this for our community but at the moment, our council’s inaction is simply a dereliction of duty.
“We urge East Dunbartonshire Council to take action and fully commit to making our streets and roads safer.”
STV NewsAnn Davie, chief executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, said last month: “We will continue to liaise with Police Scotland and assist as required.”
Sergeant Chris Hoggans, of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with Una’s family and friends.
“We are asking anyone who has not yet spoken to officers but who may have information that can help with our investigation, such as dash-cam footage, to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0590 of Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
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