Crash teen critical

Nov 14 2007 Ayrshire Post

A TEENAGE driver is critically ill after the latest horrific crash on the A77.

The 18-year-old was at the junction which joins the killer road from the Tarbolton turn off when a Peugeot travelling southbound smashed into it.

The four occupants of the Peugeot, all in their 20s, were also rushed to Crosshouse Hospital after the horror smash at around 6pm on Sunday.

Police closed the road for six hours while investigators tried to establish what happened.

The accident has renewed calls for the notorious accident black-spot to be upgraded.

The stretch of road was recently named one of the most dangerous in the world by the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT).

Plans to make the road safer were first announced in 2000 but they have suffered one setback after another and it looks likely that they will be further put back until 2010 while Transport Scotland carry out a public inquiry.

Most recent work due to start in 2006 was delayed following concerns over the detail of the scheme.

John Scott MSP has warned that further delays will cost lives.

He said: “Sunday’s accident at Bogend Toll highlights the urgent need for the promised upgrade of the A77 between Spitalhill and Dutch House to be undertaken at the earliest possible date.”

Brian Donohoe MP added his concerns. He said: “My deepest sympathies go out to the five who were injured and I wish them a very quick recovery.

“The A77 is a death-trap of a road and this junction is clearly the most dangerous in Scotland.”