Perth and Kinross politicians urge Transport Minister to take Swallow Roundabout issues seriously
A Perth and Kinross councillor says almost 1500 residents have told him they have faced delays due to the Swallow Roundabout's new traffic lights.
As well as delays, drivers have complained the Invergowrie roundabout's lanes and signage are both confusing and dangerous.
Cllr Angus Forbes and local MSP Murdo Fraser have urged Scotland's Transport Minister to "start taking this issue seriously".
The Swallow Roundabout is on the A90 next to the boundary between Perth and Kinross and Dundee.
As part of the planning conditions for its Western Gateway development, housebuilder Springfield was asked by Dundee City Council to make improvements to the Swallow Roundabout. The developer appointed Luddon Construction Ltd to carry out the roundabout improvements. But the results have left road users seeing red.
Approaching the roundabout from Perth, drivers are told there are two lanes which point straight on. It is only when the third lane appears, there is another sign saying there are three lanes and drivers can turn right towards Dundee/Invergowrie. But the traffic signals have a no right-turn sign on them.
One Carse of Gowrie resident described the new layout as both "potentially life-threatening" and "mind-blowingly stupid (and yet eminently fixable)".
Conservative councillor Angus Forbes and Murdo Fraser MSP wrote to Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop raising drivers' concerns.
In her reply, the Ms Hyslop said: "It is likely to take some time for drivers to fully adapt to the new road layout at what is already an extremely busy part of the trunk road network and we would encourage road users to plan their journeys accordingly as some delays may be anticipated, particularly at peak times.
"The noted observations in the Road Safety Audit carried out in March and any post-construction review observations including those made by road users regarding road markings and signs, are currently being reviewed and considered by the developer, their designer Amey and the local authority. All organisations are working together to resolve this matter."
Cllr Forbes was "bitterly disappointed" with the Transport Secretary's response.
He said: "It is absolutely clear that the signage is confusing and whilst I can't understand why a safety audit was needed to establish this, I am nevertheless grateful that it has flagged this up.
"However, what this safety audit does not address are the long queues that my constituents face day after day trying to get to work and medical appointments. Almost 1,500 people reported to me that they faced increased journey times as a result of the new traffic light system, this is unsustainable in the long-term. I am already seeing increased traffic in local villages."
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser accused Fiona Hyslop of "washing her hands of the problem".
Mr Fraser added: "Her response to my letter about the issues experienced by many motorists at the roundabout is very vague and doesn't address all the issues there.
"It is very clear that the new traffic system is causing many problems for motorists - the road markings cause confusion and it is no surprise there has been so much concern. We really need the SNP Transport Secretary to step up to the mark and start taking this issue seriously."
Fellow Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport Scotland to see the road safety audit, arguing - given it was about public safety - its findings should be made public.
The road safety audit conducted by Stewart Paton Associates for Transport Scotland, on behalf of Springfield, made several safety recommendations which are currently being reviewed by Springfield.
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