There are calls for "urgent" road safety measures on the East Kilbride Queensway following the tragic death of a pedestrian.
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a "one in a million" man who died in a horror three-vehicle collision while attempting to cross the dual carriageway.
John Paul McGinty, 35, was hit on the A726 at around 6.30pm last Wednesday, December 7. Sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident happened on the eastbound carriageway of the road, east of the roundabout junction with Murrayhill and Cornwall Street.
Police closed the road for six hours after the fatal collision, which involved a black Citroen Berlingo van, a silver Seat Leon car and a white Vauxhall Crossland car.
No one from any of the vehicles was injured.
Police say enquiries into the crash are "ongoing" and continue to appeal for dashcam footage of the incident.
The tragedy is the second death to occur on that same stretch of road in 10 years.
Eighteen-year-old Ewan Murray - a promising young athlete and champion runner for Calderglen Harriers athletics club - was killed in a tragic road accident while crossing the Queensway on February 11, 2012 while making his way home.
Rocked by the recent tragedy, members of the community have called for a crossing to be installed on the danger road.
Posting on the East Kilbride News Facebook page one reader wrote: "That's tragic, that poor lad and his family and friends. So much more is needed for road safety in EK. Many think the carriageways are speedways. Awful."
Another said: "They need a crossing here, lost a good friend on that road years ago."
Another posted: "I stayed in East Kilbride for years. They should have other forms of crossings at that road."
Now the East Kilbride MP and area councillor are joining locals in calling for immediate road safety measures in the wake of the tragedy.
Dr Lisa Cameron said: "Constituents have been in contact with me regarding this tragic incident and my thoughts are with all those affected.
"I am keen to link with South Lanarkshire Council's roads director to look at urgent traffic calming measures to reduce risk to pedestrians. This is warranted and must be taken forward with priority".
East Kilbride Central North councillor and leader of South Lanarkshire Council, Joe Fagan, told Lanarkshire Live: "The whole community will be deeply concerned that there has been another tragedy on the trunk road network through East Kilbride.
"Not only will there be an investigation but Transport Scotland should assess the site to determine if there is anything that can be done to improve road safety."
He added: "There is a separate, though connected, issue with speeding and racing on the Kingsway and the Queensway and councillors have been raising that with police and others for some time.
"My appeal to Transport Scotland, the police and our Members of the Scottish Parliament is that they ensure the assessment of this site takes place as soon as possible. The trunk road network cuts right through the middle of the town and we need to know it is as safe as possible."
Transport Scotland said their "sympathies are with family and friends at this time" but as police investigations into the accident are ongoing "it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time".
However officials will meet with Police Scotland and the road operating company, Amey, to obtain more detailed information.
Concerns have also been raised over the length of time it took for an ambulance to arrive on the scene with an eye-witness stating that other drivers tried to resuscitate Mr McGinty.
It reportedly took up to an hour for paramedics to get there despite the nearest hospital, Hairmyres, being just five minutes (two miles) away.
An eye-witness said: "Nearly an hour for an ambulance! I'm still furious.
"Other drivers tried to help with CPR... police came about 15 minutes later and ambulance not for about 50! And that's just the time we were there let alone before. I'm actually horrified. With a hospital round the corner, I am so angry."
Tributes are pouring in for the popular Blantyre man - known locally as Jai.
Paying tribute, one commented: "Words fail us at this sad time you will be sorely missed by the whole family fly high bro forever in our hearts."
Another wrote: "Life will never be the same... our world's shattered."
Another said: "I'm really going to miss you but I am so happy we had that weekend together recently. We laughed and sang our hearts out. You are one in a million."
And, offering condolences another wrote: "So sad for such a young person to have been killed at this time of year. Thinking of everyone and the family; God bless."
Detectives are asking anyone with dashcam footage who may have been in the area to come forward.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances which led to this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone with information to get in touch.
"We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area. You can call the police on 101, quoting reference 2829 of 7 December."
Lanarkshire Live has contacted the Scottish Ambulance Service for comment.
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