A campaign for a pedestrian crossing on an Angus road was given a boost at the weekend, as over 100 people signed a petition in the first half hour of its launch.
MSP Graeme Dey was also at the Muirhead and Birkhill Millennium Hall to sign up for a drive to get a controlled crossing installed outside the building on the A923.
Local councillor Jean Lee has been the force behind the move, since residents came to her with concerns about the speed at which motorists are driving on the road.
Many feel they have to escort their young children to and from the adjacent park, to ensure their safety on a route that is known for speeding.
Mr Dey said, “There is absolutely no doubt that there is both a demand and a justification for a crossing to be located at the hall.
“During the election campaign it was clearly identified how important it is for Muirhead and Birkhill, given the safety concerns of having so many cars coming down the Coupar Angus road and the amount of people that use the hall.
“I welcome the fact that Angus Council are prepared to look at the issue and I hope the end result will come quickly and will be appropriate.”
Angus Council infrastructure services convener David May has already moved to assure the group that the option of providing new measures will be considered. However, the community remains determined to keep up the pressure.
The petition was launched at noon, with the hall packed full of householders eager to sign up.
Among those putting pen to paper was blind woman Sheila Hands who said she feels “cut-off” from the community hub, as it is too dangerous for her to cross the road with her guidedog Usher.
The Blind Association has warned the resident that she should not attempt to make it to the other side without a human helper and she has previously had to be driven the short distance for safety.
Traffic coming from both Coupar Angus and Newtyle makes the route extremely busy at peak journey times.
Councillor Lee said she was delighted with the local response so far and added that a “real feeling of momentum” was beginning to build.
She added, “There was a very good turnout and people of all ages from across the village and the local area came along to support us.
“Everybody was saying it was about time that something was done, because it is utter lunacy that there has not been a crossing there for so long.
“Within half an hour we had over 100 signatures and we will continue until we have as many as possible.”
Residents can sign the document at the hall and at local shops and businesses in the area.
The Millennium Hall opened in 2002 after five years of fund-raising and is used by people from Muirhead and Birkhill for activities ranging from toddlers groups to yoga.