Claire McFarlane (Grampian Hotel) Councillors baffled over cycle of crashes

We’ve run the hotel for over ten years and it seems to happen five or six times a year. There have been a few dramas and a few times where I’ve gone out and phoned for an ambulance.

Ward councillor Andrew Parrott has called on drivers to pay more attention, however he does agree action needs to be taken.

“The situation with these traffic lights is most frustrating. It is frustrating first and foremost that they get hit so frequently by vehicle drivers who are obviously not paying full attention. The traffic lights after all are not difficult to see!

“However, the fact they do get hit so frequently suggests there is something wrong with the road layout, regardless of the fact that I’m sure the layout meets all appropriate standards, that might be improved.

Fellow SNP Perth city centre councillor Eric Drysdale, added: “These repeated collisions with the traffic light equipment do seem to suggest that the unusual layout is catching out some motorists who are perhaps not familiar with the area.

“Whilst obviously that factor is not sufficient reason on its own to question whether this is the best way to regulate traffic at this junction, I would be interested to see the traffic assessment that led to this set up being chosen.

Councillor Peter Barrett, also of the city centre ward, said:“It is a complete mystery as to why these signals should have been damaged so frequently.

“I used this junction on a daily basis for 18 months and never considered there to be any problems with poor visibility or signal clutter.

“I have been advised that the Council have been able to establish that all the collisions have occurred at night, at low speed and involve a single vehicle travelling east. There have been no reported injuries.”