Kilruskin and B781 Dalry Roads, Survey, Hazards, Risks, Mitigations
To be read in conjunction with Kilruskin and B781 Dalry Roads, Pictorial Survey
This work covers the road interval from the 30 mph sign on Gateside Street along
a)
b)
Kilruskin road to the junction with the A78; and
The B781 to Springside
Unless otherwise stated, distances are measured to or from the near edge of a junction.
June 2013
Hazards and Risks
These are ranked according to the rationale set out in Support Package SP C3
Accident History
Refer to the Summary Maps, which show individual injury accidents over the last 23 years. The accidents are categorised according to the severity of injuries suffered – slight, serious or fatal.
Accident cluster sites are obvious from this map, and there is a clear correlation between these and identified Hazard Areas.
Survey and Hazard Identification
Traffic Management features in Maroon Text have been installed between September 2012 and May 2013
Kilruskin Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Road type and
principal
characteristics
Please refer to the attached detail of the Ordnance Survey map; to
the photographs; and to the interval characterisations above.
Single lane rural road, unclassified. There is no footway. It is
approximately 1 ¼ miles long from the A78 to the B781.
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
For a road signposted as national
speed limit, most of its length is
hazardous. Additionally, there are
intervals which have specific
hazardous features.
The road serves an agricultural area, formerly with 3 (now 2) farms.
As well as the 2 farmhouses, there are an additional 9 residences
Along its length there are about 20 field accesses, 11 vehicle
accesses, and a T-junction to Crosbie. About 70% of its length
involves road intervals which are blind to approaching traffic, due
mainly to bends, and contributed to by hedges, roadside vegetation
and an occasional tree. Road hills and undulations also contribute to
the blind features.
The road is quite narrow, width varies from 5.0m to 5.9m. The
attached OS map detail shows spot measurements of edge-to-edge
width. See also the table below
National speed limit applies (60 mph for cars down to 40mph for
heavy trucks). The mean speed has been measured at 35mph.
60 mph is not achievable except over a short distance – but where
significant lateral hazards exist. In the views of residents,
“speeding”, meaning cars travelling too fast, is known to occur
Hazard Area 1: Approaches to and
area of T-Junction, Kilruskin Road /
B781
Refer to photos1, 2, 3, 25, 32, 33,
38 - 42
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ Presence of pedestrians
including recreational walkers
+ Presence of cyclists
+ the posted national speed
limit(60mph for cars) compared to a
Kilruskin Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
regularly.
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
measured mean speed of 35mph
+ the narrowing of Kilruskin Road
from 7.33m down to 5.7m – see
Table
The T-Junction
of the B781
and the
Klruskin Road
Please refer to photographs 38 – 42.
Road Widths
Spot measurements of the edge-to-edge width of the road are as
follows.
Location
+ No footway on Kilruskin Road
Width
At 30mph sign in Gateside St
7.33m
Just north of B781 junction
5.7m
At Crosbie turning (The Avenue)
5.45m
120 yards north of Crosbie turning
5.24m
At Bushglen
5.1m
At start of left bend north of Bushglen
5.47m
At dogleg S-bend under railway bridge
5.20m
At North Kilruskin Farm by SLOW on
road
5.05m
On downhill approach to A78
5.88m
+ Straight run for traffic on
Kilruskin Road heading into
Gateside Street, allowing high
speed at this junction – well in
excess of norms at a Give Way
junction
+ Restricted line of sight for traffic
turning right from Dalry onto
Kilruskin Road
+ road-side trees on Kilruskin
Road
+ Blind bend from Gateside Street
towards Dalry
+ Narrowness of footway on
Gateside Street / Dalry road bend
Margin for Error: the combination
of these factors, including speed,
narrowness of carriageways,
absence of footways – means there
is little if any margin for error
Hazard Area 1 Ranking: Level 7,
Serious
++
Road Usage
Present-day usage involves



Access for residents, and for farm vehicles
Use as a through-road from West Kilbride to the A78 then
north, and the reverse journey (West Kilbride is signposted on the A78 to the north and south of the T-junction)
Traffic from Dalry and further east use it as a through route
to the Hunterston area
Hazard Area 2: Approaches to the
T-junction of The Avenue (Crosby
Road) with Kilruskin Road
Refer to photos 4, 5, 6, & 24
Specific Contributing Factors
Kilruskin Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Traffic approaching West Kilbride from the Hunterston area and from
further north would find it the shortest route to about 25% of the
residences in the town (generally to the east side of the town).
In the terminology of Setting Local Speed Limits, it has evolved into
principally an Upper Tier road (one with a through function) with a
secondary local access function (Lower Tier road) – which is atypical
for an unclassified road.
Traffic flows are light but steady, with significantly heavier flows at
“rush-hour” times.
Other road users include pedestrians, cyclists and ramblers; these
include children.
Junctions and
Accesses
See above under Road type and principal characteristics; and detail
of Ordnance Survey map
Accidents
These are shown on the Ordnance Survey map detail.
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
Singly and in combination:
+ Presence of pedestrians from
Crosby
+ Presence of recreational walkers
and cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 35mph
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ No footway on Kilruskin Road
+ the presence of the turning to
Crosby is low-visibility when
approaching from both directions
on the Kilruskin Road (it is signposted from the north but not from
the south).
+ Kilruskin Road has a blind
feature to the north and the south
of the junction
Speed
Considerations
The National Speed Limit applies: 60 mph cars, down to 40mph for
heavy trucks. The mean speed has been measured at 35mph.
There is an interval about 450m long, mainly to the south of
Bushglen Farm, where forward line-of-sight improves, but it is not
100% clear – partly due to contours and 2 road-side trees. And
there are hazards in the shape of partially visible lateral accesses.
Excepting very fast drivers, vehicles approaching one another on this
450m interval would use a mean speed somewhat less than 40mph,
mainly due to the road’s narrowness.
+ restricted lines of sight for traffic
joining the Kilruskin Road from The
Avenue – refer photos 5 and 6
+ On The Avenue approach to the
Kilruskin Road junction, there are
no Give Way road markings
indicating the carriageway edge.
(The Avenue has a 30mph speed
limit)
Road contours
These are shown along with other features on the attached detail of
the Ordnance Survey map
+ the presence of occasional roadside pole and tree
Roadside
Vegetation
The road is bordered by stock hedges and fences, and the verges
sometimes have heavy vegetation, which increase the blind
characteristics.
Margin for Error: the combination
of these factors, including speed,
narrowness of carriageways,
absence of footways, poor lines of
sight for turning – means there is
Kilruskin Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Road Markings
and signs on
Kilruskin Road
A central hazard warning line runs the full length, from Gateside
Street up to the A78 T-junction. There are no road edge lines.
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
no margin for error.
Hazard Area 2 Ranking: Level 7,
Serious
++
Other Road Markings from south to
north
Other road markings
from north to south
SLOW painted on road 22 yards
before the Crosbie turning
Slow painted on road 120
yards before the left turn
to Crosby
Hazard Area 3: the 450m interval
of road approx 100m north and
350m south of Bushglen Farm
At junction with the B781,
give way triangle painted
on road, and broken
double white lines across
the carriageway edge.
Refer to photos 8 – 12, 20 - 22
SLOW painted on road 10 yards
before the blind left dogleg bend at
North Kilruskin Farm
At junction with the A78, give way
triangle painted on road, and broken
double white lines across the
carriageway edge.
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ 3 residences
+ Presence of recreational walkers
and cyclists
Road Signs from south to north
On far side of junction with B781, a
warning sign of 14’ 6” headroom
bridge 1 mile ahead
Warning sign : Farm traffic for 1 Mile
has been located 100 yards south of
access to Bushglen.
80 yards before the bridge , warning
sign of bridge headroom 14’ 6”
75 yards before North Kilruskin Farm,
a warning sign: Farm Traffic
On far side of left dogleg bend at North
Kilruskin bend, sharp deviation
warning sign with chevron arrows
pointing left
There is an island at the junction with
the A78, with keep left blue circle
signs.
Road Signs from north
to south
96 yards after joining from
the A78, a warning sign of
14’ 6” headroom bridge
600 yards ahead
50 yards before right
dogleg bend at North
Kilruskin farm, a warning
sign: Farm Traffic for 1
Mile
10 yards before right
dogleg bend at North
Kilruskin farm, warning
sign of right hand bend,
Reduce Speed Now
Then right on the right
dogleg bend, sharp
deviation warning sign
with chevron arrows
pointing right
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 35mph
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ no footway on Kilruskin Road
+ the access to the residences
immediately south of the farm is
low-visibility when approaching
from both directions.
+ the residence at Photo 9 has
restricted lines of sight to left onto
Kilruskin Road; similarly for the
residence at photo 10 when looking
to the right
+ the presence of occasional roadside pole and tree
Margin for Error: the combination
of these factors, including speed,
narrowness of carriageway,
Kilruskin Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
70 yards before bridge ,
another warning sign of
bridge headroom 14’ 6”
120 yards before the left
turn to Crosby, sign
showing branch road to
left, Reduce Speed Now
On approach to junction
with the B781, Give Way
warning sign
Traffic Calming
features
None apart from road markings and signs
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
absence of footways, poor lines of
sight for turning at residences –
means there is no margin for error.
Hazard Area 3 Ranking: Level 7,
Serious
++
Hazard Area 4: From 200m north
of Bushglen to the junction with the
A78
Refer to photos 12 -20
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
Road Lighting
none
Footways
none
Provision for
Cyclists
none
+ this interval of road comprises
undulations and frequent bends –
some quite sharp – essentially a
sequence of features with blind or
restricted vision
+ 7 residences and North Kilruskin
Farm
+ Presence of recreational walkers
and cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 35mph
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ no footway on Kilruskin Road
+ the presence of occasional roadside pole and tree
Margin for Error: the combination
of these factors, including speed,
narrowness of carriageways,
absence of footways, blind features
– means there is little if any margin
for error.
Kilruskin Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
Hazard Area 4 Ranking: Level 8,
Very serious
Fiirst ½ mile of B781 to Dalry – also a single carriage road with 60 mph speed limit
Road type and principal
characteristics
This 1/2 mile interval has a sequence of 4 blind bends /
brows in close succession. It also has 9 residences at
Springside, and accesses to residences at Underhill
and to 2 residences nearer West Kilbride.
Hazard Area 5: Dalry Road, first ½
mile
Dog-walkers , residents including teenagers, and
holidaymakers with accommodation at Underhill walk
from this area to West Kilbride. It has a footway on one
side of the road or the other, from Lawwoodhead Farm
to Gateside Street. There is no street lighting.
Specific Contributing Factors
The road has a central hazard warning line starting at
the 60mph speed limit sign on Gateside Street and
running up to and beyond Lawwoodhead Farm by
Springside. It is not as narrow as the Kilruskin Road.
The national speed limit applies (60mph for cars).
Road Usage
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
Present-day usage involves

The main road between West Kilbride and
Refer to photos 26 - 42
Singly and in combination:
+ this interval of road comprises
undulations and a sequence of
blind features in close succession:
bends and brows; and field access
gates
+ around 12 residences and
Lawwoodhead Farm
+ presence of residential walkers
and cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
Fiirst ½ mile of B781 to Dalry – also a single carriage road with 60 mph speed limit


Dalry
Traffic from Dalry and further east use it as a
through route to the Hunterston area
Vehicle access for residents, and for farm
vehicles
Other road users include pedestrians, cyclists and
ramblers; these include children.
Road Markings and signs
onB781 to Dalry
Traffic Calming Features
The road has a central hazard warning line starting at
the 60mph speed limit sign on Gateside street and
running up to and beyond Lawwoodhead Farm by
Springside. There are no road edge lines.
Other Road Markings from
west to east
Other road markings
from east to west
SLOW painted on road at
tight S-bend, 30 yards before
entrance to Underhill
property.
SLOW painted on
west-bound
carriageway about 10
yards east of
Lawwoodhead Farm
buildings – just before
a blind brow.
Road Signs from west to
east
Road Signs from east
to west
173 yards before railway
bridge, 7 ½ Ton mgw
warning sign
16 yards before railway
bridge, Weak Bridge 7 ½ Ton
warning signs
28 yards before
railway bridge, Weak
Bridge 7 ½ Ton
warning signs.
3 off 30 mph
countdown signs
None apart from road markings and signs
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 36mph
+ the presence of occasional roadside pole and tree
+ Limited lines of sight when
turning from several residences
onto B781
Margin for Error: the margin for
error disappears for traffic
exceeding 40mph
Hazard Area 5 Ranking: Level 8,
Very serious
++
Fiirst ½ mile of B781 to Dalry – also a single carriage road with 60 mph speed limit
Road Lighting
None
Footways
Yes. A footway runs from Lawwoodhead Farm downhill
to around the entrance to the Underhill property where
it stops. A footway then runs on the other side of the
road into West Kilbride.
Provision for Cyclists
None
Hazard Area, Contributing
Factors, Margin for Error, Hazard
Area Ranking
Risk Assessment
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
Please refer to Pictorial Survey including scrap detail from OS Map
Kilruskin Road
In 2009 the Scottish Government produced a series of 4 TV ads; 2009 Country Road Adverts. Each showed a crash on a country road due to speed – a skid, then hitting a tree, a
tractor, or an oncoming vehicle. The consequences looked grim. The messages were a) 3 out of 4 fatalities occur on country roads; and b) you don’t have to be speeding to be
driving too fast. These scenarios could have been filmed on Kilruskin Road, so alike it is to the film: bendy, blind, and narrow. The escape routes open to a driver when faced with such
scenarios are usually: a) to swerve, but country roads often don’t have that option; or b) to brake, but if you’re going too fast, that isn’t going to avoid an accident.
Kilruskin Road runs north-south through an agricultural area, from the east side of West Kilbride to its junction with the A78 to the south of the Hunterston Roundabout. It’s about 2km (1
¼ miles) long. It is a narrow, single-lane rural road (generally 5 – 5.9m wide), unclassified; it is not sufficiently narrow to require passing places, but slowing down is normal when passing
oncoming vehicles . Along its length there are 2 farms, about 20 field accesses, about a dozen vehicle accesses at residences, and a T-junction to Crosbie (The Avenue).
About 70% of its length involves road intervals which are blind to approaching traffic, due mainly to bends, and contributed to by hedges, roadside vegetation and an occasional tree.
Road hills / undulations also contribute to the blind features.
Traffic flows between West Kilbride and the Hunterston area and further north would find it the shortest route for about 25% of the residences in the town (generally to the east side of the
town). It is also a traffic route from east of West Kilbride (Dalry direction) to the Hunterston area. These traffic flows exceed those of farms and residences; i.e. it’s as much a through
road as a local access road (West Kilbride is sign-posted on the north and south A78 approaches to the T-junction). In total, flows are light but steady, with significantly increased flows at
“rush-hour” times. Vehicles include slow-moving farm vehicles, cars, vans and trucks.
Other users include pedestrians, cyclists and ramblers; these include children. There is no footway. There are no street lights. In 2010 intervals of Kilruskin Road / Gateside Street have
been assessed by the local authority to be ‘unsafe for regular pedestrian use going to school’.
The national speed limit applies (60mph for cars); the mean speed was measured on 4th March 2013 at 35mph (23 vehicles).
B781 Dalry Road – first 1/2 mile
The B781 is the main route between West Kilbride and Dalry and on to Glasgow. It sees a light but steady traffic flow; at rush-hour times the flow increases. Queuing is not a
feature, and usually vehicles appear one-at-a-time, so that anyone wishing to travel significantly above the mean speed is not hindered by a vehicle in front. This 1/2 mile
interval has a sequence of 4 blind bends / brows in close succession. It also has 9 residences at Springside, and accesses to residences at Underhill and to 2 residences
nearer West Kilbride.
Dog-walkers , residents including teenagers, and holidaymakers with accommodation at Underhill walk from this area to West Kilbride. It has a footway on one side of the road
or the other, from Lawwoodhead Farm to Gateside Street. There is no street lighting.
The road has a central hazard warning line starting at the national speed limit sign on Gateside Street and running up to and beyond Lawwoodhead Farm by Springside. It is
not as narrow as the Kilruskin Road. The speed limit is 60mph for cars; the mean speed was measured on 27 th February 2013 at 36mph (41 vehicles).
General Points
General Points
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
For a rural, unclassified road signposted as national speed
limit, most of its length is hazardous. Additionally, there are
intervals which have specific hazardous features.
The following questions run through this assessment:





Which interval of these 2 roads is suitable for the
national speed limit (60mph for cars, dropping to
40mph for heavy trucks)?
What will visitors unfamiliar with the hazards
make of the national speed limit sign?
What speed would responsible drivers use as
they approach lateral hazards? And blind
stretches?
What is the mean speed for traversing these
stretches of road?
Do road marking s and signage send a
consistent message? And do they allow a
sensible margin for error?
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
In general, the risk of an accident comes from the road
characteristics including the branch accesses , in conjunction
with driver behaviours, including speed, inattention, error of
judgement.
Hazard Area
Risk Levels vary
The
manageability is
reported as
high, and
without heavy
expenditure.
The concensus view of residents is that a significant minority
of vehicles regularly travel at excessive speed on these 2
intervals of road.
Vehicles
On Kilruskin Road, residents’ knowledge of accidents points
to vehicle losing control through travelling too fast. Running
off the road is a common result - resulting in hitting a wall, a
fence or hedge, or a tree. Striking another road user is less
common due to the relatively low traffic density (nobody
around at the time). Death and serious injuries have resulted,
but usually it’s minor injuries, some of which go unreported.
There are many near misses / scares.
Possible Outcomes and Relative
Likelihood vary - see each individual
Hazard Area
Pedestrians and Cyclists
Pedestrians and cyclists must proceed with great care along
the length of both these roads. Many in these user categories
avoid these roads. Cars passing at speed allow no margin for
error if one of these users is present, or if one emerges from
a lateral access. A vehicle collision with a child or cyclist
would be serious.
Hazard Area 1: Approaches to and area of T-Junction,
Kilruskin Road / B781
Fast-travelling south-bound vehicle on Kilruskin Road
approaching Dalry Rd / Gateside street junction:
Refer to photos1, 2, 3, 25, 32, 33, 38 - 42
a) encounters vehicle turning right into Kilruskin Road –
resulting in collision or swerve to avoid; could involve impact
with other road users.
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ Presence of pedestrians including recreational walkers
+ Presence of cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit(60mph for cars)
compared to a measured mean speed of 35mph
b) misjudges presence / proximity of other traffic on the other
2 branches - resulting in collision or swerve to avoid; could
involve impact with other road users.
Vehicle taking right bend from GatesideStreet into Dalry
Road travels too fast and loses control – resulting in going
through fence into field (has happened); or impact with other
Possible Outcomes
+ Collision with other vehicle, cyclist,
pedestrian;
+ Vehicle runs off the road, colliding
with pedestrian or cyclist
+ Vehicle runs off the road and
through a fence
In view of the
range of
hazards, the
relative
likelihood of
outcomes, the
Hazard Area 1
Risk is Level 7,
Serious
resulting in
Near miss, Injury , Death
The
manageability
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
+ the narrowing of Kilruskin Road from 7.33m down to
5.7m – see Table
+ No footway on Kilruskin Road
+ Straight run for traffic on Kilruskin Road heading into
Gateside Street, allowing high speed at this junction – well
in excess of norms at a Give Way junction
+ Restricted line of sight for traffic turning right from Dalry
onto Kilruskin Road
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
road user
Vehicle taking blind left bend from Dalry Road into Gateside
Street strikes cyclist, or pedestrian(s) who are obliged to walk
on carriageway; could also involve swerve and impact with
other road user.
(Refer also to Hazard Area 5 regarding a vehicle turning left
or right from cottage access to west of railway bridge - refer
photos 31 and 33).
Relative Likelihood
For the possible events shown, the
relative likelihood is categorised as
Medium for vehicle occupants; and
Lower for pedestrians and cyclists,
due to the usage level
is high, and
without heavy
expenditure; see
Hazard
Management
and Mitigation
+ road-side trees on Kilruskin Road
+ Blind bend from Gateside Street towards Dalry
+ Narrowness of footway on Gateside Street / Dalry road
bend
Margin for Error: the combination of these factors,
including speed, narrowness of carriageways, absence of
footways – means there is little if any margin for error
Hazard Area 1 Ranking: Level 7, Serious
Photo 42: At Kilruskin Road T-junction edge, for the right turn
towards north; line of sight extremely limited.
Hazard Area 2: Approaches to the T-junction of The
Avenue (Crosby Road) with Kilruskin Road
Refer to photos 4, 5, 6, & 24
Vehicle turning right or left from The Avenue encounters fast
moving vehicle travelling in either direction on Kilruskin Road
- resulting in collision, or swerve
Possible Outcomes
+ Collision with other vehicle, cyclist,
or pedestrian;
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ Vehicle strikes road-side object.
Could involve other road user(s)
+ Presence of pedestrians from Crosby
resulting in
+ Presence of recreational walkers and cyclists
Near miss, Injury , Death
+ the posted national speed limit (60mph for cars)
compared to a measured mean speed of 35mph
In view of the
range of
hazards, the
relative
likelihood of
outcomes, the
Hazard Area 2
Risk is Level 7,
Serious
Relative Likelihood
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ No footway on Kilruskin Road
Is this a 60mph interval?
For the possible events shown, the
relative likelihood is categorised as
Medium for vehicle occupants; and
Lower for pedestrians and cyclists,
The
manageability
is high, and
without heavy
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
due to the usage level
+ the presence of the turning to Crosby is low-visibility
when approaching from both directions on the Kilruskin
Road (it is sign-posted from the north but not from the
south).
expenditure; see
Hazard
Management
and Mitigation
+ Kilruskin Road has a blind feature to the north and the
south of the junction
+ restricted lines of sight for traffic joining the Kilruskin
Road from The Avenue – refer photos 5 and 6
+ On The Avenue approach to the Kilruskin Road junction,
there are no Give Way road markings indicating the
carriageway edge. (The Avenue has a 30mph speed limit)
+ the presence of occasional road-side pole and tree
Margin for Error: the combination of these factors,
including speed, narrowness of carriageways, absence of
footways, poor lines of sight for turning – means there is no
margin for error.
Hazard Area 2 Ranking: Level 7, Serious
Hazard Area 3: the 450m interval of road approx 100m
north and 350m south of Bushglen Farm
Refer to photos 8 – 12, 20 - 22
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ 3 residences
+ Presence of recreational walkers and cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit (60mph for cars)
compared to a measured mean speed of 35mph
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ no footway on Kilruskin Road
Vehicle travelling at speed along Kilruskin Road (in either
direction) encounters vehicle emerging from one of the 3
residential / farm accesses, but particularly from the first or
second residence (photos 9 and 10 refer).
Driver travelling too fast on the straighter stretch to north and
south of Bushglen loses control
Driver attempts overtaking on the straighter stretch to north
and south of Bushglen without adequate clear forward line of
vision.
Possible Outcomes
Any of these events could result in
collision, or swerve and striking roadside object. Could involve other road
user(s), including farm vehicle,
pedestrian, cyclist.
resulting in
Near miss, Injury , Death
Child strays or cycles onto carriageway from a residential
access.
Relative Likelihood
Specific Point: Traffic on the A78 coming from the Largs
direction has little opportunity to overtake after the Hunterston
roundabout due to the curvature of the A78. Once on
For the possible events shown, the
relative likelihood is categorised as
Medium to Higher
In view of the
range of
hazards, the
relative
likelihood of
outcomes, the
Hazard Area 3
Risk is Level 7,
Serious
The
manageability
is high, and
without heavy
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
+ the access to the residences immediately south of the
farm is low-visibility when approaching from both directions.
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
Kilruskin Road, there is little opportunity to overtake until near
Bushglen, when someone in a hurry could push their luck.
expenditure; see
Hazard
Management
and Mitigation
+ the residence at Photo 9 has restricted lines of sight to
left onto Kilruskin Road; similarly for the residence at photo
10 when looking to the right
+ the presence of occasional road-side pole and tree
Margin for Error: the combination of these factors,
including speed , narrowness of carriageways, absence of
footways, poor lines of sight for turning at residences –
means there is no margin for error.
Is this a 60mph interval? Photo 9,
near Bushglen
Hazard Area 3 Ranking: Level 7, Serious
Photo 11: Approaching Bushglen, road width 5.1m
Is this a 60mph interval? (Photo 10, near Bushglen)
Is this a 60mph interval?
Hazard Area 4: From 200m north of Bushglen to the
junction with the A78
Refer to photos 12 -20
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ this interval of road comprises undulations and frequent
bends – some quite sharp – essentially a sequence of
These include:
Possible Outcomes
Driver travels too fast round a blind feature – bend or brow and meets
Any of these events could result in
collision, or swerve and striking roadside object. Could involve other road
user(s), including farm vehicle,
pedestrian, cyclist.






An agricultural vehicle
A car
Ramblers
Farm animals
Cyclist
Or encroaches on opposite carriageway
resulting in
Near miss, Injury , Death
In view of the
range of
hazards, the
relative
likelihood of
outcomes, the
Hazard Area 4
Risk is Level 8,
Very Serious
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
features with blind or restricted vision
+ the posted national speed limit (60mph for cars)
compared to a measured mean speed of 35mph
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ no footway on Kilruskin Road
+ the presence of occasional road-side pole and tree
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events

+ 7 residences and North Kilruskin Farm
+ Presence of recreational walkers and cyclists
Possible Outcomes
Or encounters overtaking driver late getting back
into his lane
Driver attempts overtaking on the straighter stretch south of
North Kilruskin Farm without adequate clear forward line of
vision
Child steps or cycles onto carriageway from a residential
access.
Any of these possible events could result in collision, or
swerve and striking a road-side object. Could involve other
road user(s), including farm vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist.
Relative Likelihood
For the possible events shown, the
relative likelihood is categorised as
Medium to Higher – which is mitigated
by familiarity of most users and
extreme care taken by residents.
There was a fatal accident in 2005,
and many accidents since 2000 (and
before)
The
manageability
is high, and
without heavy
expenditure; see
Hazard
Management
and Mitigation
Residents report frequent near misses
Margin for Error: the combination of these factors,
including speed, narrowness of carriageways, absence of
footways, blind features – means there is little if any margin
for error.
Hazard Area 4 Ranking: Level 8, Very serious
Is this a 60mph interval? Photo 18
Is this a 60mph interval? Photo 19
Hazard Area 5: Dalry Road, first ½ mile
Refer to photos 26 - 42
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ this interval of road comprises undulations and a
sequence of blind features in close succession: bends and
brows; and field access gates
+ around 12 residences and Lawwoodhead Farm
These centre on speed, several blind bends, partially blind
accesses to residences. The scenarios are similar to those
for the Kilruskin Road:
Driver travels too fast at a blind feature – bend or brow - and
meets






An agricultural vehicle
A car
Ramblers
Farm animals
Cyclist
Or encroaches on opposite carriageway
Possible Outcomes
Any of these events could result in
collision, or swerve and striking roadside object. Could involve other road
user(s), including farm vehicle,
pedestrian, cyclist.
resulting in
In view of the
range of
hazards, the
relative
likelihood of
outcomes, the
Hazard Area 5
Risk is Level 8,
Very Serious
Near miss, Injury , Death
Relative Likelihood
For the possible events shown, the
The
manageability
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
+ presence of residential walkers and cyclists

Or encounters overtaking driver late getting back
into his lane
Child steps or strays with bicycle onto carriageway from a
residential access.
+ the presence of occasional road-side pole and tree
Any of these possible events could result in collision, or
swerve and striking a road-side object, or going through a
wall, hedge or fence. Could involve other road user(s),
including farm vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist.
Margin for Error: the margin for error disappears for traffic
exceeding 40mph
Hazard Area 5 Ranking: Level 8, Very serious
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
+ the posted national speed limit (60mph for cars)
compared to a measured mean speed of 36mph
+ Limited lines of sight when turning from several
residences onto B781
Possible Outcomes
relative likelihood is categorised as
Medium to High – which is mitigated
by familiarity of most users and
extreme care taken by residents.
Springside residents report frequent
near misses.
Vehicle turning left or right from cottage access to west of
railway bridge (refer photos 31 and 33) has very limited line of
sight to right (gets to a point where he has to go, and take his
chances)
Is this a 60 mph interval? Photo 29
is high, and
without heavy
expenditure; see
Hazard
Management
and Mitigation
Management and Mitigation
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Singly and in combination:
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Hazard Area 1: Approaches to and area of
T-Junction, Kilruskin Road / B781
+ Presence of pedestrians including
recreational walkers
Refer to photos1, 2, 3, 25, 32, 33, 38 - 42
+ Presence of cyclists
Specific Contributing Factors
+ the posted national speed limit
60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 35mph
Singly and in combination:
Margin for Error: the combination of
contributing factors, including speed,
narrowness of carriageways, absence of
footways – means there is little if any
margin for error
+ the narrowing of Kilruskin Road
from 7.33m down to 5.7m – see
Table
Hazard Area 1 Ranking: Level 7, Serious
+ Straight run for traffic on Kilruskin
Road heading into Gateside Street,
allowing high speed at this junction –
well in excess of norms at a Give
Way junction
Hazard Area 1 Risk: Level 7, Serious.
+ No footway on Kilruskin Road
+ Restricted line of sight for traffic
turning right from Dalry onto Kilruskin
Road
+ road-side trees on Kilruskin Road
+ Blind bend from Gateside Street
towards Dalry
+ Narrowness of footway on
Gateside Street / Dalry road bend
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Convert the existing GiveWay triangle to a roundabout;
land available
Reduce speed limit to 40mph
in step with measured mean
speed of 35mph
Broaden footway
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
Broadening the
Kilruskin Road from
The Avenue to the
junction is expensive.
Without a footway,
the unsafe nature of
the road remains - for
walking to school.
The following actions
are in line with
Setting Local Speed
Limits and are costconscious:
++
++
Broaden the road and build a
footway along Kilruskin Road
along to the right turn into
The Avenue; needs land.
A roundabout (land is
available) gets over 3
problems: speeding
from Kilruskin Rd into
Gateside Street; the
Daly-to-Kilruskin lineof-sight problem; and
speed on the bend
with the narrow
footway. It also aids
the transition into the
narrowing Kilruskin
Road.
Survey road-side for
hazardous poles and trees,
and establish an approach
for their repositioning /
removal
Along with the
roundabout, applying
the realistic 40mph
speed limit (Kilruskin
Rd and the first ½
mile of Dalry Rd)
largely addresses
most hazards
The safety of school
pedestrians remains
a concern; to some
extent this would be
mitigated by the
speed limit reduction
- which would also
help cyclists.
With Priority
+ Convert the
existing Give-Way
triangle to a
roundabout;
and
+ Introduce the
realistic 40 mph
speed limit
and
+ Broaden the
footway from
Gateside Street
round into Dalry
Road
++
Also, survey roadside for hazardous
trees / poles and
assess the need for
their scheduled
removal / re-routing .
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Hazard Area 2: Approaches to the Tjunction of Crosby Road (The Avenue) with
Kilruskin Road
Refer to photos 4, 5, 6, & 24
+ Presence of pedestrians from
Crosby
+ Presence of recreational walkers
and cyclists
Margin for Error: the combination of
contributing factors, including speed,
narrowness of carriageways, absence of
footways, poor lines of sight for turning –
means there is no margin for error.
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 35mph
Hazard Area 2 Ranking: Level 7,Serious
+ No footway on Kilruskin Road
Hazard Area 2 Risk: Level 7, Serious
+ the presence of the turning to
Crosby is low-visibility when
approaching from both directions on
the Kilruskin Road (it is sign-posted
from the north but not from the
south).
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ Kilruskin Road has a blind feature
to the north and the south of the
junction
+ restricted lines of sight for traffic
joining the Kilruskin Road from The
Avenue – refer photos 5 and 6
+ On The Avenue approach to the
Kilruskin Road junction, there are no
Give Way road markings indicating
the carriageway edge. (The Avenue
has a 30mph speed limit)
+ the presence of occasional roadside pole and tree
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Reduce speed limit to 40mph
in step with measured mean
speed of 35mph
Place a T-junction warning
sign to south of the junction
(there is one on the approach
from the north)
Establish a bell-mouth to give
improved line of sight to left
and right at The Avenue
junction with Kilruskin Road
Establish junction edge lines
to give drivers joining
Kilruskin Road a better idea
of how far they are
encroaching over the
carriageway edge.
Survey the road-side for
hazardous poles and trees,
and establish an approach
for their repositioning /
removal
Establish a footway on
Kilruskin Road up to The
Avenue junction.
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
As stated for Hazard
Area 1, broadening
the Kilruskin Road
from The Avenue to
the junction is
expensive. Without a
footway, the unsafe
nature of the road
remains - for walking
to school.
With Priority
The following steps
would mitigate most
of the risk: an
improved bell-mouth,
with junction edge
lines; approach
signage; and bringing
in the realistic 40mph
speed limit. This is a
low-cost package,
and is in line with the
government
guidelines for the
Speed Limit Review.
+ improve the
approach signage;
The safety of school
pedestrians remains
a concern; to some
extent this would be
mitigated by the
speed limit reduction
- which would also
help cyclists and
ramblers.
The following actions
are in line with
Setting Local Speed
Limits and are costconscious:
+ improve the bellmouth, with junction
edge-lines;
+ Introduce the
realistic 40 mph
speed limit
++
Also, survey roadside for hazardous
trees / poles and
assess the need for
their scheduled
removal / re-routing .
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Hazard Area 3: the 450m interval of road:
approx 100m north and 350m south of
Bushglen Farm
Refer to photos 8 – 12, 20 - 22
Margin for Error: the combination of these
factors, including speed , narrowness of
carriageways, absence of footways, poor
lines of sight for turning at residences –
means there is no margin for error.
Hazard Area 3 Ranking: Level 7, Serious
Hazard Area 3 Risk: Level 7, Serious,
+ 3 residences
+ Presence of recreational walkers
and cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 35mph
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ no footway on Kilruskin Road
+ the access to the residences
immediately south of Bushglen farm
is low-visibility when approaching
from both directions.
+ the residence at Photo 9 has
restricted lines of sight to left onto
Kilruskin Road; similarly for the
residence at photo 10 when looking
to the right
+ the presence of occasional roadside pole and tree
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Establish bell-mouths at the 2
residences to the south of
Bushglen
Reduce speed limit to 40mph
in step with measured mean
speed of 35mph
Introduce a warning VAS at
each end of this interval of
road
Survey road-side for
hazardous poles and trees,
and establish an approach
for their repositioning /
removal
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
The following 3 steps
would mitigate most
of the risk: improve
the bell-mouths at the
2 residences south of
Bushglen; bring in
the realistic 40mph
speed limit; and
introduce a warning
VAS at each end of
this road interval.
The following actions
are in line with
Setting Local Speed
Limits and are costconscious:
This package is in
line with the
government
guidelines for the
Speed Limit Review.
and
It is the most costeffective option to
deliver speed
management along a
stretch of road which
drivers see as
tempting for
overtaking - but is
dangerous due to
low-visibility hazards.
+ Introduce a
warning VAS at each
end of this interval of
road
With Priority
+ Establish bellmouths at the 2
residences, for
improved line of sight
+ Introduce the
realistic 40 mph
speed limit
++
Also, survey roadside for hazardous
trees / poles and
assess the need for
their scheduled
removal / re-routing .
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Hazard Area 4: From 200m north of
Bushglen to the junction with the A78
Refer to photos 12 -20
Margin for Error: the combination of these
factors, including speed, narrowness of
carriageways, absence of footways, blind
features – means there is little if any
margin for error.
Hazard Area 4 Ranking: Level 8, Very
serious
Hazard Area 4 Risk is Level 8, Very
Serious
+ this interval of road comprises
undulations and frequent bends –
some quite tight – essentially a
sequence of features with blind or
restricted vision.
+ 7 residences and North Kilruskin
Farm
+ Presence of recreational walkers
and cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 35mph
+ narrowness of Kilruskin Road
+ no footway on Kilruskin Road
+ the presence of an occasional
road-side pole and tree
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Reduce speed limit to 40mph
Introduce a VAS at each end
of this interval of road
Survey road-side for
hazardous poles and trees,
and establish an approach
for their repositioning /
removal
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
Without the expense
and difficulties of
widening and
realigning the road,
the following 2 steps
would mitigate most
of the risk:
The following actions
are in line with
Setting Local Speed
Limits and are costconscious:
+ bring in the
realistic 40mph
speed limit; and
Introduce the realistic
40 mph speed limit
+ introduce a
warning VAS at each
end of this road
interval.
Introduce a warning
VAS at each end of
this road interval
This package is in
line with the
government
guidelines for the
Speed Limit Review.
Also, survey roadside for hazardous
trees / poles and
assess the need for
their scheduled
removal / re-routing .
It is a cost-effective
speed-management
option for a stretch of
road with a bad
accident record.
With Priority
And
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Hazard Area 5: Dalry Road, first ½ mile
Refer to photos 26 - 42
Margin for Error: the margin for error
disappears for traffic exceeding 40mph
Hazard Area 4 Ranking: Level 8, Very
serious
Hazard Area 5 Risk: Level 8, Very
Serious.
+ this interval of road comprises
undulations and a sequence of blind
features in close succession: bends
and brows; and field access gates
+ around 12 residences and
Lawwoodhead Farm
+ presence of residential walkers
and cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 36mph
+ the presence of occasional roadside pole and tree
+ Limited lines of sight when turning
from several residences onto B781
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Reduce speed limit to
40mph. Clause 39 of Setting
Local Speed Limits says: A
short length of speed limit
interval of 40 or 50mph may
be appropriate as a
transition, for example on the
outskirts of a village.
Survey road-side for
hazardous poles and trees,
and establish an approach
for their repositioning /
removal
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
Without the expense
and difficulties of
realigning the road,
the following 2 steps
would mitigate most
of the risk:
The following actions
are in line with
Setting Local Speed
Limits and are costconscious:
+ bring in the
realistic 40mph
speed limit; and
With Priority
Reduce speed limit to
40 mph
+ introduce a
warning VAS at each
end of this road
interval.
And
This package is in
line with the
government
guidelines for the
Speed Limit Review.
Also, survey roadside for hazardous
trees / poles and
assess the need for
their scheduled
removal / re-routing .
Introduce a warning
VAS at each end of
this road interval