Plans to improve Swallow Roundabout signage and lane markings welcomed by Perth and Kinross councillor
A Perth and Kinross councillor has welcomed the news works to improve the Swallow Roundabout next to Invergowrie will take place later this month.
Developer Springfield has confirmed Transport Scotland and the roundabout designer have concluded their review of the road safety audit - conducted in March 2025 - and "identified actions".
Overnight works are scheduled from August 25 over the course of a fortnight - to minimise disruption - and allow line markings and signs to be changed.
Carse of Gowrie ward councillor Alasdair Bailey believes it has been "a long time coming".
The local Labour Perth and Kinross councillor said: "It's good news for drivers and pedestrians alike that the safety improvements listed in the audit that I got released earlier this summer - under FOI powers - are to be implemented. People here are hopeful that the works will include implementing the more logical lane layout mentioned in that report. The contradictory signage about which lane goes where from the Perth direction must be resolved and it's shocking that it's taken almost six months to pull a plan together to do that.
"The original works finished in March so this has been a long time coming, given that almost everyone I've spoken to agrees there's something wrong with that junction.
"This whole debacle is a lesson in why, next time around, I'd hope that a public body rather than a private one is given responsibility for delivering major infrastructure upgrades. We all have negative things to say about councils and government from time to time but I don't think that these incorrect signs would have been left like this for so long if one body were in charge of the whole piece."
Springfield was initially asked by Dundee City Council to change the roundabout's layout as part of the planning conditions for the Western Gateway. Luddon Construction Ltd was appointed to carry out the works.
Traffic lights were added to the roundabout to allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross the middle of the roundabout to go to and from the Dykes of Gray development. However, ever since the works were completed in March 2025, road users have been seeing red.
There have been reports of several accidents since the changes were made, which fellow Carse of Gowrie ward councillor Angus Forbes found "inexcusable".
Approaching the roundabout from Perth, all three lanes have arrows painted on them pointing straight ahead.
The signage, on approach, has two lanes which point straight ahead. It is only when the third lane appears, there is another sign to say there are three lanes and drivers can turn right towards Dundee/Invergowrie.
However the traffic lights at the roundabout say "no right turn" giving the impression you can only go straight ahead.
The confusion has resulted in some vehicles cutting into a different lane at the last minute.
A Springfield spokesperson said: "As explained from the outset, we are delivering improvements to the Swallow Roundabout as per the requirements and guidance of the relevant authorities. They, alongside the roundabout designer, have reviewed the safety audit and identified actions including alterations to signage and lane markings.
"The work has been programmed to take place week commencing August 25 for two weeks between the hours of 7pm and 7am. We will continue to work closely with authorities, and keep road users updated, until the improvement works are complete.'
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