First Fatality on The Brae
December 7th, 2009 | 
Author: Concern is often expressed about the speed of traffic travelling up The Brae. Today, it was reported that a cat was hit by a fast moving vehicle. We know how fast a cat can move but it could not avoid this vehicle. Of course, it is always possible that it simply sped across the road in front of the vehicle. A loud bang was heard by shopkeepers but the driver, knowing they must have hit something, failed to stop. While I don’t believe it is legally necessary when a cat is hit, it would have been a courtesy to have done so. The Ballark Place owner was deeply disturbed by the event but we must surely be thankful that it was not a pedestrian. Drivers please note this is a 20MPH zone and caution is required.
It is not just the Brae it is right up the high Street and out cawdor Road it is now used as a race track by boy racers and what do the police do?
The brae is now a far more dangerous place than it ever was.
I live in Ballark Place and was unaware of this incident. I recall when my youngest child was a toddler he saw his granny outside the Cafe Nairn and tried to make a dash across the High Street Brae to meet her. By the grace of God I had a firm grasp of his hand because a car sped round the corner and missed him literally by inches. The incident was witnessed by a shocked pedestrian nearby. The young driver to his credit realised he had nearly caused a fatality and stopped his car. I was in shock and was just relieved that my wee boy was safe. I kept calm and told the lad in the car I hoped it was a lesson to him that he had come within inches of killing a child. I work as a journalist and part of my job is scrutinising the work of councils. I have tried not to be critical when I know the investment in the Brae streetscape was well intentioned. One of the objectives was to make it safer for pedestrians. Sadly it has failed. There is NO traffic calming. The narrowing of the gateway at the entrance to the Brae perhaps slows traffic down coming from the east and the west but young drivers exiting from Harbour Street get a buzz out of speeding across the A96 and through that gateway at terrific speed. The issue of lorries not being able to pass when one is parked in the loading bay has already been highlighted and as I have to turn into Ballark Place to park my car I frequently find cars tailgaiting me as I slow down to make what is a tricky manoeuvre. Last night I was conscious of a car sitting on my tail and I was so distracted as I tried to get into position to make the right turn my nearside wheel thumped the kerb. So there are many issues which need addressed. Pedestrianisation of the Brae has been suggested and if I am being totally selfish that’s what I would like with access for residents and businesses maintained. But the traders have to make their living on the Brae and their views should be given priority. I think one solution would be to introduce speed bumps at the bottom of the Brae which would certainly bring traffic speeds down to a safe and acceptable level.
The traffic right through the High Street is getting crazier than ever. If it isn’t boy racers then it’s people speeding past as close to the pavement as possible, or lorries pulling right up onto it when there are pedestrians trying to walk to the shops.
It’s a real shame the driver didn’t even stop – there are plenty of houses around the Brae and bridge areas and that cat was probably someone’s beloved pet. =(
I’m glad it wasn’t any of the children or elderly who regularly have to use the Brae, though.
Give Nairn a bypass and pedestrianise the whole of the High Street, but make sure you follow Dingwall’s lead not Elgin’s…