The family of tragic teen Robyn Fryar have told how they hope lifesaving safety measures on the road she was killed will prevent any other families facing the same heartbreak.
Transport bosses at Renfrewshire Council have drawn up extensive plans to make a number of safety changes on Paisley’s Glenburn Road following a private campaign from Robyn’s heartbroken family.
The proposals, which are set to go to consultation in the coming months, include speed humps, traffic calming islands and Puffin crossings to reduce speeds on the busy road.
Her family have been working with ward councillor Eddie Devine for over a year to make the plans a reality in the hope of preventing more people being killed like Robyn.
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In a statement given to the Express, Robyn’s family said: “We just hope that these new safety measures will stop any other family having to go through the same tragedy we did.”
The fifteen-year-old was tragically killed on July 7, 2019 after being hit by speeding driver Shaun Gatti while she was walking home.
The heartless 23-year-old had been driving at excessive speed after downing cocktails at a Paisley nightclub when he mowed down the the schoolgirl.
Instead of calling for help, the callous killer fled the scene and tried to hide the badly damaged Volkswagen Polo GTi underneath a tarpaulin sheet.
Robyn was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.
Gatti was jailed for five years and banned from the road for a total of 11 years and seven months after being convicted of causing her death by dangerous driving.
Her death sent shockwaves through the community, with her heartbroken parents paying tribute to their daughter who “lived life with love and laughter in her heart”.
Repeated calls have been made in the community for council bosses to take action and stop speeding drivers on the stretch of road.
Another incident in July last year saw an 11-year-old girl rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital with a broken arm after being hit by a car.
Following the year-long process, the council will now be launching a consultation to seek the views of the public on the plans.
In an email seen by the Express, Gerard Hannah, Infrastructure, Transportation and Change manager for Renfrewshire Council said: “Following discussions with our partners and the local community, we are proposing that build-outs are introduced along the stretch of road to reduce the traffic speed and improve safety.
“If introduced, this would see vehicles having to stop to give way to oncoming vehicles at two sections of the road and this would slow traffic and reduce the risk of road users reaching a high speed.
“In addition, and separate to this proposal, there will be a ‘Puffin’ Pedestrian Crossing installed on the west arm of the Glenburn Road/Braehead Road roundabout at St Peter’s Church.
“We will be contacting the local community councils, local partnership, partners, and stakeholders, and advertising in the local press, to ensure that the views of the community in this area are represented.”
Renfrewshire Labour leader and Glenburn ward councillor Eddie Devine said he was pleased to see the plans finally come together for Robyn’s family.
He said: “I was contacted by a family member of Robyn’s over a year ago and this is something that we have been trying to make a reality for some time.
“We worked hard to continue to keep this at the forefront of the council’s mind to make sure some much-needed action was taken on Glenburn Road to try and improve safety.
“I am pleased to see these plans and I am thankful to Robyn’s family for letting me assist them with this matter which is so important to them.”
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