Lorry overturns at accident blackspot

Jun 4 2009 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A NOTORIOUS road accident blackspot in Lanarkshire was the scene of yet another incident on Tuesday.

The driver of a 14-wheeler lorry carrying glass bottles lost control on Strathaven Road, the A723 between Hamilton and Strathaven, and overturned, causing considerable delays as rescue services and road recovery teams sought to clear the debris.

The cause of the crash was still to be confirmed last night (Wednesday), but police did confirm that the male driver of the vehicle suffered slight injury.

The accident comes after the road was closed for 17 days in November last year to make way for safety improvements, including anti-skid surfacing at the tightest bends and improved signing warning drivers they are approaching tight corners.

The project, which cost around £850,000, ran from 8-24 November and was aimed at reducing the accident rate on the A723, which is 50 per cent higher than the national average for A-class rural roads.

However, councillor Brian McCaig, whose Hamilton South ward encompasses part of the A723, said that he felt the safety measures weren’t an issue.

He said: “I actually don’t know many details of the crash, nor do I know how fast the driver was going, but the road is a very safe road.

“As far as I’m concerned, any road is safe so long as you drive it properly. I’ve been in transport all my life.”

A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We made substantial investment of £850,000 on road safety improvements on the A723 during 2008/09.

“The road was closed yesterday morning as a result of an HGV overturning.

“The accident involved only a single vehicle and happened on a straight section of road.

“We have no reason to believe there are any issues with the road network at this location.”