Woman to move out of Glasgow after two decades due to speeding on Cowal Road

As the Glasgow Times reported last month, Cowal Road in Maryhill sees around 1600 vehicles break the 30mph speed limit every day, according to data obtained by SNP MSP Bob Doris.

Residents in the area have been expressing their concerns to the politician, who, in a letter, urged Glasgow City Council to take action “before an accident occurs, not after".

Now, a local who lives on Millhouse Drive, with her back garden facing the road, said she is planning to move out of the city as a response to the concerning figures.

Shirley McLellan, 51, on CXowal Road, with cars travelling in the background

She claims cars often speed on the road

Cars driving on Cowal Road, North Glasgow

READ MORE: Concerns grow over speeding on Glasgow's Cowal Road sparking demands for change

Shirley McLellan, 51, has lived here for 23 years. She said: “I have stayed here before any of the other estates went up.

“That is my main concern, that in those years, speeds have increased, traffic has increased and also, pedestrian footfall has increased.

“It is very difficult getting across the road, even at crossing points. I have taken kids to school because the roundabouts at the top are that fast.

“It’s really difficult for pedestrians, people on bikes, with prams, kids, dogs, everyone.”

The secondary school teacher and her neighbour have both lost cats to the road, which she described as a “traumatic” experience.

She hopes the council would consider placing speedbumps, cameras, signs, and reduce the speed limit to 20 miles per hour on the entirety of the road.

Along with the speeding and the volume of traffic during the day, the mother of two is also worried about activity on the road at nighttime.

Sign on the road

READ MORE: Police officers 'saddened' by North Glasgow vandalism

She added: “It’s used as a racetrack at night, very often, you can hear them coming from miles.

“Sometimes, you can hear the sound of the engine, as they scream down the road.

“We’ve had more antisocial drivers in recent history than in the past and we also had a few nasty crashes.

“It doesn’t bode well for anyone trying to cross the road.

“It worries me so much that I am actually moving.

“I’m going to move because, I love my garden, house, neighbours, but the speed of the road really upsets me, especially at night.”

Next year, her plan is to move to the seaside, away from the city.

The Glasgow resident walking her dogs as cars drive by

She is often worried about her pets

She is moving next year, out of Glasgow

Bob Doris, SNP MSP for the area, said: “Local people have been raising concerns about this road for some time. As the communities along this road grow, so will those using the road.

"We have been making great strides in Glasgow towards active travel – including walking. The safety concerns on Cowal Road need to be addressed to allow and encourage active travel on this road.

"The speeds we are seeing today are concerning. Although this is a main road which needs to function well for traffic, we have to ensure drivers do this responsibly and within the law.

"I am pleased that following my representation, Glasgow City Council is now looking at options to address these concerns.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “Road safety is a top priority for the council and resources are allocated on annual basis to improve safety at the locations where risk to road users is most evident.

“We are aware of the road safety concerns connected to Cowal Road and we will seek to address those concerns within the context of our current resources.”