Latest news with #AngusForbes
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Perth and Kinross politicians urge Transport Minister to take Swallow Roundabout issues seriously
Road users have not only faced delays but found the new layout both confusing and dangerous 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.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Date set for referendum on mayor for Plymouth
A date has been set for a referendum to decide if Plymouth should have a directly-elected mayor paid in the region of £75,000 a year. Plymouth City Council has to hold a referendum after a campaign, led by Angus Forbes, former banker and husband of celebrity dancer Darcey Bussell, gathered more than 10,000 signatures in favour of the process. Opponents said the campaign was based on false promises and hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on it would be a waste of money. Campaigners for the referendum, due to be held on Thursday 17 July, claimed it was a chance to change how the city was run. If Plymouth residents vote in favour of a directly-elected mayor, the first elections will be held in May 2026. At a heated meeting at Plymouth City Council, members expressed their frustration with the process that the council said would cost about £410,000. Several councillors spoke about other areas such as Bristol, Liverpool and Torbay which have had directly elected mayors but then abolished the posts. The leader of the Labour-led council, Tudor Evans, said there was a great difference between a possible mayor for Plymouth and the directly-elected mayors in London and Greater Manchester who have greater powers. Evans also pointed to the current reorganisation of local government taking place, in which the government has indicated it wants to scrap directly-elected mayors for single authorities such as Plymouth in favour of mayors for combined authorities. The city council's chief executive, Tracey Lee, acknowledged the reorganisation as a potential risk and said talks were ongoing with the government. Forbes claimed the cost of the referendum was "the best money a Plymouth taxpayer could ever spend to change to a successful system of direct democracy". He said the current system had "failed to grow the economy". Forbes said: "Our greatest opportunity is to have a place-based leader to galvanise us, to unify us with a vision for Plymouth, and to be an ambassador, to attract private capital and private citizens to come to Plymouth." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Plans for three new councils and mayor for Devon Plymouth City Council
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Date set for referendum on mayor for Plymouth
A date has been set for a referendum to decide if Plymouth should have a directly-elected mayor paid in the region of £75,000 a City Council has to hold a referendum after a campaign, led by Angus Forbes, former banker and husband of celebrity dancer Darcey Bussell, gathered more than 10,000 signatures in favour of the said the campaign was based on false promises and hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on it would be a waste of for the referendum, due to be held on Thursday 17 July, claimed it was a chance to change how the city was run. If Plymouth residents vote in favour of a directly-elected mayor, the first elections will be held in May a heated meeting at Plymouth City Council, members expressed their frustration with the process that the council said would cost about £410, councillors spoke about other areas such as Bristol, Liverpool and Torbay which have had directly elected mayors but then abolished the leader of the Labour-led council, Tudor Evans, said there was a great difference between a possible mayor for Plymouth and the directly-elected mayors in London and Greater Manchester who have greater also pointed to the current reorganisation of local government taking place, in which the government has indicated it wants to scrap directly-elected mayors for single authorities such as Plymouth in favour of mayors for combined city council's chief executive, Tracey Lee, acknowledged the reorganisation as a potential risk and said talks were ongoing with the claimed the cost of the referendum was "the best money a Plymouth taxpayer could ever spend to change to a successful system of direct democracy".He said the current system had "failed to grow the economy".Forbes said: "Our greatest opportunity is to have a place-based leader to galvanise us, to unify us with a vision for Plymouth, and to be an ambassador, to attract private capital and private citizens to come to Plymouth."
The Courier
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
Courier readers hit out over Swallow Roundabout chaos
Readers have hit out over chaos at the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee after complaints about the traffic lights and road markings. The Courier told on Thursday how Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes is writing to the Scottish Government to highlight people's concerns about delays and safety fears at the newly reshaped junction. It comes as drivers have faced long queues on the A90 Dundee-bound approach to the roundabout since the lights were activated in March, while road markings are also causing confusion. The changes were made in an attempt to accommodate extra traffic at the Dykes of Gray housing development. Dozens of people expressed their frustration over the changes in response to our story. On The Courier's website, user 'Shaz' said: 'Our journey time has nearly doubled at the roundabout. 'I understand why it's been done but it's not working as it should – not sure what needs done.' 'Bob' posted: 'Have you ever noticed how well the traffic flows around the train station (at Dundee Waterfront) on the odd occasion the traffic lights are not working, the same with filtering off the Tay (Road) Bridge? 'Switch the traffic lights off and watch how quickly the traffic will flow through the new layout. '(There will be) no manufactured build-up caused by an unnecessary light change at a set of lights where no car is waiting.' 'DundeeRocks' said: 'I think they would have been better leaving the roundabout as it was and putting in slip roads for merging traffic, especially from Riverside to Perth. 'The lanes are not wide enough, they are narrow and all over the place. 'Even during non-busy times you are stuck for a while, not sure why they didn't leave it alone, Myrekirk is a disaster as well.' The road markings, which were criticised by drivers as far back as December, are continuing to cause problems, according to some. 'One foot in the grave' said: 'Coming from Perth, the outside lane has an arrow showing straight on then changes after the lights to show right turn only. 'To continue north you would have to cross over in front of vehicles. 'When you are there car horns are going constantly. There must be so many near accidents.' On The Courier's Facebook page, John Waller said: 'Seems to be a hobby of all councils these days, they have put lights on a few roundabouts in Dunfermline lately too and it's a total pain. 'Roundabouts were designed to ensure smooth running of roads at junctions, now it just looks like a way to waste money.' Kenny Maclean wrote: 'It's absolutely rubbish now. 'I regularly use this roundabout and up until the improvements it ran very smoothly. 'Now it's tailbacks and very poor lane signage coming from Perth. 'I've seen quite a few having to ride round the roundabout because they were stuck in the wrong lane. 'It's definitely a step backwards.' On the Evening Telegraph's Facebook page, Alan Jackson branded the changes a 'disaster'. He said: 'Before the lights were installed, the signage was wrong. 'I thought, maybe when the lights were completed they would amend the signage – but they left it. 'The new road layout is incorrect. I am on it most days and constantly see drivers using the lanes incorrectly according to the new incompetent signage.' Scotty Gorrie posted: 'The only improvement it has made is the traffic from Liff getting an opportunity to get out now. 'However, the lights should be on green much longer on the main trunk road as it's causing major tailbacks. Total shambles.' And 'Bm Scotland' wrote: 'Why did they do this in (the) first place? The road has flowed perfectly for decades – no build-up, no accidents.' Springfield, the housing developer that oversaw the work at the roundabout, says the design was signed off by specialists and authorities including Transport Scotland, and that the lights were 'specifically requested' by Dundee City Council. Transport Scotland says it will respond to Mr Forbes in due course. Dundee City Council has not replied to a request for comment.
The Courier
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
The Courier: Swallow Roundabout chaos was preventable
New traffic lights installed at the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee have prompted hundreds of complaints from fed-up motorists. But as The Courier revealed previously, concerns about this were first raised more than a decade ago when the idea emerged. They included worries the already-congested roundabout, near Invergowrie, could be worsened by potential sign clutter and driver confusion. Dundee taxi driver Willie Lees said at the time he 'couldn't see' how it would work. It is now clear those warnings showed remarkable foresight. The problems it predicted have come to pass and then some. The chaos could – and should – have been prevented. But developer Springfield, which has previously failed to answer questions posed by The Courier, went ahead with alterations to the junction near Invergowrie in a bid to ease potential congestion caused by the construction of 700 new homes at Dykes of Gray. In fairness to Springfield, it was simply following the planning application signed off by the local authority and Transport Scotland. Many have now complained about the 'outrageous' delays in the weeks since the traffic lights were turned on. One driver said their commute time had been doubled. Another said: 'It's crazy sitting behind red lights with no traffic in front of you or coming round from the right and you can't go because lights are red. 'There are times I counted when 20-50 vehicles could get through if there were no lights.' Their anger is justified, as is the frustration of Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes. Mr Forbes summed it up, saying: 'My constituents are coming to me looking for a solution but I can't even give them an explanation, never mind a solution, and as a councillor, that's not a good place to be.' Transport Scotland, the government agency which is said to have approved the changes, must explain why it did not listen to the clear warnings. It must also set out how it will rectify the problem as a matter of urgency. The issue will now reach the desk of the Scottish Government's transport chief Fiona Hyslop. She should call those responsible for the problems to task. Scotland's housing crisis demands the building of new homes but communities are often fearful that new developments will lead to disruption. Whether it's on the road or concerns about a lack of local infrastructure to cope with any population boom, those fears are genuine. Refusing to listen to those who know the area best does nothing to encourage locals to accept housebuilding projects. At best it sets acceptance of new housebuilding back, at worst it pits community against community.
