Latest news with #AlasdairBailey
Daily Record
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Plans to improve Swallow Roundabout signage and lane markings welcomed by Perth and Kinross councillor
Changes will be made to lane markings and signage after months of motorists' misery 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.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Perth and Kinross Council spent £3 million on consultants over the past three years
A Perth and Kinross councillor believes the rising spend on outsourcing work is an "inevitable consequence" of cuts to the local authority's budget Perth and Kinross Council has spent around £3 million - possibly more - employing the use of consultants over the past three years. Between 2022 and 2025 the local authority awarded 31 contracts for consultants often due to a lack of resources or in-house specialist knowledge. The contracts range from £594,300 (exc VAT) for its Perth People Place and Perth Transport Futures programme - which includes the Cross Tay Link Road project - to £5625 (exc VAT) on VAT advice for Perth's new leisure facility PH2O. Most of the figures are publicly available on the government's Public Contracts Scotland website and exclude VAT. However there were no financial figures published for four of the 31 contracts awarded to consultants by PKC between 2022 and 2025. PKC has suggested this may be due to the information being "commercially sensitive". Explanations as to why consultants were paid to do a job rather than council employees was provided by Perth and Kinross Council in response to a Freedom of Information request made by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. In many cases it was blamed on a lack of council resources. A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: "Payments for individual consultants vary depending on the length and nature of the work involved. "In some cases, costs may not be published if they were commercially sensitive; for example if supplier rates could be worked out from the value of the contract." In many cases - such as the review of the council's arm's-length external organisations (ALEOs) - PKC said contracting out the work saved the local authority money. A PKC spokesperson said: "We have saved money by going direct to a consultancy for the options appraisal exercise they have undertaken as this was carried out over a much shorter time period than the temporary post and at a lesser cost." Vice-convener of Perth and Kinross Council's Scrutiny and Performance Committee Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey believes the mounting figures are the "inevitable consequence of the years of real-terms cuts we've seen to council budgets". Bailie Bailey said: "This is something that I'll take time to dig into the detail of in order to find and question any cases where spends look excessive. I'd like to thank the Perthshire Advertiser for getting this information into the public domain. "The headline figures are concerning but - to put this into perspective - the use of consultants sometimes allows the council to do more without having to employ full-time permanent staff. These numbers are therefore an inevitable consequence of the years of real-terms cuts we've seen to council budgets. Gone are the days when a council the size of Perth and Kinross can justify having all the specialists in the building all of the time." The amount of taxpayers' money spent on consultant fees to provide services to Perth and Kinross Council has risen over the course of the the three years. In 2022/23 the total cost was £721, 573. It rose to £779,553 in 2023/25 before soaring to £935,210 in 2024/25. All costs indicated on the Public Contracts Scotland website exclude VAT. Costs not listed include two contracts awarded in 2023 and 2024 for a Development Control Works Package. Explaining the need for a consultant to provide the package, a PKC spokesperson said: "As part of the Flooding Teams duties, we provide non-statutory consultation to all proposed development applications across Perth and Kinross. While we endeavour to appraise these in-house, during times of increased workload or flooding events where resources are stretched it is not possible to maintain the service and therefore, we require to utilise the support of an external consultant to ensure a continuation of the planning response. The consultant is also occasionally tasked with undertaking design work or focussing on larger, more complex planning applications which may be out with the skill set currently within the Flooding team."
The Courier
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
Iconic Perthshire diner The Horn could be replaced and 2 further restaurants built on A90
An iconic Perthshire diner could be replaced by a newer cafe as part of a plan to create a service station on the A90. A PAN (planning application notice) has been lodged for land 200 metres west of Horn Farm Cottage, near Errol. It says The Horn diner could be replaced and an additional two drive-through restaurants built nearby. In a Facebook post, Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey (Labour) revealed the proposal, which also includes a hotel, a solar farm and a petrol station, with electric vehicle charging facilities. The site would also require a new 'access spine road' and car parking. An overnight car park for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and a welfare building are also included in the scheme. The proposed solar farm would provide up to 2MW of battery energy storage. The first of two pre-application public events is set to take place at Errol Village Hall on August 28. A formal planning application is then expected to be submitted to Perth and Kinross Council. The scheme is in the same location as a proposed service station that received planning permission in 2017. The £1 million plan would have seen The Horn move to a new 'fit for purpose' site 100 metres from the existing building. However, permission expired in 2022 and the famous roadside diner has remained in the same location. The Horn was established in 1960 as a 'tartan shed', with the current building constructed in 1973. The venue has become a famous Tayside landmark due to its iconic cow positioned above its front door. It has also appeared on television shows including ITV's Good Morning Britain and Channel 4's Taskmaster. The diner has also hosted several film sets, with four visiting the site in 2021 alone. Its location just south of the A90 means it is a popular stopping point for famous faces and other motorists travelling from Aberdeen to Edinburgh or Glasgow. The Horn Milk Bar declined to comment when approached by The Courier.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Councillor requests to see Swallow Roundabout road safety audit following concerns about new layout
The Perth and Kinross councillor made the FOI request believing a report on public safety should be made public A Perth and Kinross councillor has welcomed recommendations made in a road safety audit on Invergowrie's Swallow Roundabout. Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport Scotland to see the redacted report after so many residents complained the roundabout's new layout was not just "confusing" but "dangerous". The safety audit was conducted in March and Bailie Bailey felt - given it was about public safety - its findings should be made public. Developer Springfield appointed Luddon Construction Ltd to carry out the roundabout improvements. However, ever since the work was completed earlier this year, drivers have been left confused, frustrated and faced lengthy delays with the new layout. Traffic lights confusingly warn there is no right turn which could make drivers think they cannot turn right at all on the roundabout. While there is no mention of the confusing traffic lights in the road safety audit Stewart Paton Associates conducted for Transport Scotland, on behalf of Springfield, the consultants did make several safety recommendations which are currently being reviewed by Springfield. Road markings remain a cause for concern. The report highlighted an issue with northbound A90 traffic "trapped" in the right-turn lane. An issue was also highlighted with the road markings on the A85 approach to the roundabout. It stated: "On the roundabout, traffic from the A85 intending to head NB to the A90 was noted during the site visit to confine to one lane, despite there being two lanes available for this traffic. This resulted in a longer queue length than necessary." The Carse of Gowrie Labour councillor welcomes finally being able to read the findings of the "public" safety report and hopes all the recommendations will be implemented soon. Bailie Bailey said: "I requested this because it seemed wrong that the public weren't allowed to see a report that was all about public safety. Specifically, I welcome the report's recommendation that the lane markings be changed coming from Perth direction. So many people have told me that layout is at the very least confusing and at worst dangerous so it's reassuring to see that the experts agree. "My hope is that fixing that will also help traffic flow. I've noticed that when the lights turn green at the moment the second 'straight on' lane doesn't fill fast enough so it's like we only have two lanes, not three at the lights. "Hopefully fixing the problems pointed to in this report resolve the delays and put to bed any talk of turning off the lights. "We have to acknowledge that the junction is far safer for pedestrians now. I'm not a regular user of the junction but have seen three parents with kids in buggies/prams in recent weeks cross the road there. That was not safe before so it's good to see that non-car users are now getting a look-in." A spokesperson for developer Springfield said: "As housebuilders developing new homes in the area, we were asked by the council [Dundee City Council] to upgrade the Swallow Roundabout as part of our planning. "We commissioned third party specialists to design improvements in line with Transport Scotland regulations, including the installation of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings as specifically requested by Dundee City Council. These designs were reviewed by the relevant authorities before any construction took place, and the roundabout improvements have been built in line with the approved design." A spokesperson for Amey, the company operating on behalf of Transport Scotland said the "improvements" to the Swallow Roundabout were part of the planning approval for new homes in the Western Gateway. Amey's spokesperson added: "The roundabout design, which has now been constructed, required the introduction of traffic signal controls and additional running lanes which are necessary to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic and also improve active travel provision at this busy location. "An important part of the new layout features dedicated crossing facilities for those walking and cycling, so people can safely cross the road, even during the busiest times. These features will mean parents, children and commuters will have the facility to walk and cycle from the Dykes of Gray development, whether they are heading to the shops, school or work. "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. Road users are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly as some delays may be anticipated, particularly at peak times. "An independent post-construction road safety audit has been carried out and, along with recent observations made by road users regarding road markings and signs, the recommendations are currently being reviewed and considered by the designer, developer and the roads authority. "Amey, as the operating company on behalf of Transport Scotland, are monitoring the flows of traffic to inform on potential improvements to the functionality whilst ensuring this route is as effective as possible for both motorised and non motorised road users travelling in the area."
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Carse Medical Practice patients receive detailed letter from NHS Tayside about GP service options being explored
A local health chief has written to every patient addressing concerns and explaining the options currently being explored to continue GP services in the Carse of Gowrie NHS Tayside's Primary Care Service's interim manager has written to all Carse of Gowrie Medical Practice patients outlining what is being done to continue GP services locally. It comes after the GPs at Carse Medical Practice gave notice to NHS Tayside to terminate their General Medical Services (GMS) contract on September 12. Local resident and councillor Alasdair Bailey welcomed the "much-improved communication" from the health board. The letter - written by Primary Care Services interim manager Rachel Bennison - stressed the practice remains open and fully operational until September 12 and there is "no need" for patients to take any action or move to another practice. In her letter, she wrote: "NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) are working together closely to ensure GP provision in the area is safe and sustainable. NHS Tayside is responsible for appointing contracts for GP practices and the HSCP works with local practices to support them." The five options being considered are: advertising the GMS contract to a new provider merging with another GP practice NHS Tayside taking direct control of running the practice (2C model) merging with another practice run directly by NHS Tayside dispersing patients to nearby practices if necessary. Rachel Bennison explained what was happening right now. She said: "The options being explored will take some time to work through. The advert to seek a new GP or practice to take over the practice is already live, however there is a special tender process which has to be followed and this is likely to be a key focus for the next few months. "The tendering procurement process will conclude at the end of June and information on the outcomes will be shared with you once this can be shared publicly (this is a process governed by legislation and there are strict rules about this)." Her letter explained that once the options appraisal is complete, a report will be presented to Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board - the governing body for Perth and Kinross HSCP. The Primary Care Services chief said: "The decision on which option is chosen will be made by NHS Tayside, taking into account the views of the IJB, who are advised by the HSCP." The letter also provided answers to several questions raised by worried patients whose concerns included: an increased population, GP recruitment, Carse Medical Practice being in a temporary building for so long and transport. Carse of Gowrie ward councillor Alasdair Bailey was one of many local residents who got the letter through his door this week. The Labour councillor has pledged to continue pushing to ensure the community's voices are heard. Bailie Bailey said: "I welcome NHS Tayside's much-improved communication which makes it clear to patients that there's work under way to continue the GP provision locally. "I'll carry on pushing to ensure that our voices are heard but this is a good sign that they're hearing the questions that the community are asking and are taking them into account during their process. "Hopefully the tender exercise is successful but I hope that the option of the NHS running the surgery directly is also still under serious consideration." NHS Tayside has reaffirmed its commitment to "finding the best possible outcome for the Carse community". A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: "We have written to patients of Carse Medical Practice to provide further details of the next steps in the process. "NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership are continuing to work together to ensure patients can access ongoing GP care after 12 September 2025. "We remain committed to finding the best possible outcome for the Carse community and will continue to keep them informed as planning develops."
