John White’s nine-year-old son Aiden was hit by a car in Whitecrook in November.

Rushed to Yorkhill Children’s hospital for treatment, the youngster suffered a broken leg and bruising in the incident on Braes Avenue. His leg was in a cast for three months and he has since had intensive physiotherapy to get back on his feet.

Ten days later, 14-year-old Angel was knocked down near the Whitecrook Bus Terminus. The girl hesitated when crossing the road and was also knocked down by a car, suffering severe bruising to her spine and back.

“Luckily the woman (involved in my son’s crash) wasn’t speeding, she was under the limit,” John told the Post. “Aiden was very lucky, it could have been 10 times worse.

“He just got the all clear a few weeks ago.” John, a member of Whitecrook Community Council, has been campaigning for traffic calming measures and a reduced speed limit for years.

“You can see why we are so passionate about it,” he said.

A father of eight, John this week learned that West Dunbartonshire Council is to reduce the speed limit in all Whitecrook streets as part of a trial introducing 20mph zones to built-up areas.

He said: “It’s a big issue at the moment. Reducing the speed limit to 20mph I think will bring some relief.

“There is no need for speeding in residential areas, 20 is plenty.

“We are behind this and have been campaigning for long enough. It’s about getting something in place that works.” Explaining there were a number of ‘Go Kart drivers’ in Whitecrook at the moment, John says he hopes the authorities are able to enforce the reduced limit.

“I’m 100 per cent behind it,” he said, “although how they will impose it I’m not too sure. The police will do their best but then again their resources are already being stretched to the limit. It will be about how it’s enforced and if people will abide by it.” A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire said: “We will be seeking community support to introduce 20mph speed limits within all streets in Whitecrook and Bellsmyre to improve road safety and encourage residents, including children, to walk and cycle.

“These areas were selected as they have substantial traffic calming measures in place which will ensure compliance with a reduced speed limit.

“We will begin promoting our plans during the spring and, subject to support, will implement the restrictions by the end of the year.

“The new speed limits will be permanent and will be monitored with a view to extending the programme across West Dunbartonshire.” Depending on the success of the trial and how it affects motorists, local policing and residents, the 20mph zones could be rolled out over a three to five year period.