Concerns at lack of timescale for work at bottleneck

TRANSPORT bosses have yet to set dates for improvements to the Broxden roundabout outside Perth, more than two years after surveys were carried out.

Concerns about a lack of progress have been raised as Transport Scotland admits work is needed to boost safety and advance construction projects in the Fair City.

Liz Smith, Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, said: “I am very disappointed that no date has yet been set for these improvements.

“Scoping work at the Broxden roundabout took place more than two years ago yet there is no sign at all of any progress within this Scottish Government project and that is a matter of considerable concern to my constituents.

“Long queues at the Broxden roundabout are an increasingly frequent feature of peak times with the result that many journeys are delayed.

“It’s all very well building lots of new homes around the western edge of Perth City, but we need an efficient infrastructure to cope with the additional demands.”

She called on the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to set a date to start the work.

A spokesman for the transport agency said: “We are clear this would support development around Perth and the wider safety of the trunk road network.

“We are in discussions with both the council and developers of specific developments, including the John Dewar Lamberkin Trust, to understand what, if any, impact they may have, and how they may contribute to mitigating that impact in line with Scottish Government planning policy.”

Pressure on the roundabout is likely to rise in the coming years after the approval of the controversial £118 million Cross Tay Link Project.

In documents submitted along with the proposal it states: “Demand on the A9 from Broxden roundabout to Inveralmond roundabout and north on to the proposed CTLR would be expected to experience increases in traffic flow.”