A series of road safety measures are set to be introduced near the scene of a fatal collision which claimed the life of a Coupar Angus toddler.
Strathmore Councillor Dennis Melloy held a meeting with council chiefs this week to discuss the traffic options following the horrific incident which took place last Thursday afternoon in the town’s Forfar Road.
A black Ford Focus collided with a silver Citroen people carrier. The Ford Focus is understood have then careered on to a pavement and hit two-year-old Harlow Edwards, her sister Dionne,17, and six-year-old brother Leon.
Tragically little Harlow died following the accident, with her siblings still in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, where their injuries were yesterday described as “serious” by a police spokesperson
The funeral service for Harlow will take place on Tuesday at St Columba’s RC Church in Dundee. She will then be interred at Birkhill Cemetery.
Mourners are asked to wear bright colours or a “touch of pink” to celebrate the tot’s life.
The family have called Harlow “our little ray of sunshine” and they have stated the bright funeral theme has been chosen “in honour of our beautiful baby girl and all that she was.”
Generous local residents have already raised more than £8000 for the family by setting up a JustGiving page.
Organiser Nadia Rice said: “The generosity of everyone is really overwhelming – huge thanks to you all.”
Following the accident, Mr Melloy claimed he has been raising road safety issues around the Larghan Park/Forfar Road area of the east Perthshire town since 2007. On Thursday, he said he had a “very positive” meeting with representatives from Perth and Kinross Council to find a way to make Forfar Road “safer for everyone.”
“We discussed several measures, which I have been promised will be implemented as quickly as possible,” he said.
“These will consist of flashing signs indicating to drivers to slow down immediately, more ‘children crossing’ signs and the pelican crossing will be made more visible.
“Unfortunately no matter what measures could have been in place last Thursday it would not have prevented what happened. Two families have been ruined as a result.
“I would appeal to drivers everywhere, to obey the speed limit and drive sensibly.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council stated the majority of the measures “should be in place” by the end of the year.
“Senior council officers met with Councillor Melloy regarding a range of further measures to continue to discourage speeding on the A94 Forfar Road in Coupar Angus, including alterations to road signage to further flag up the 30mph speed limit, vehicle activated signs on Forfar Road entering and leaving the town highlighting drivers’ speeds.
“They will also include the introduction of a part-time 20mph speed limit and associated flashing beacon signs along Forfar Road in the vicinity of the school and Larghan Park, and checks on traffic signals to ensure they are clearly visible to motorists.”
Police files concerning the death of Harlow are now in the hands of the Crown Office. So far no one has been charged with any offence regarding the incident.
