Upgrade work at danger roundabout is delayed
about the road safety situation worsening at the junction, one of the housebuilder’s managing directors said it was now not “likely” to start until next year.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey told the PA after reading Springfield Properties’ statement: “When this plan came before committee at Perth, we were told that there was urgency to the works because delays could hold up future housebuilding activity.
“That urgency was one of the reasons given for not revising the design to rule out any negative impact upon traffic through Main Street.
“I’d therefore hope that some of this extra time can be spent looking again at the impact that the design will have on traffic flows through Main Street which already suffers from drivers cutting through to avoid traffic at the roundabout.
“As I said at the time, I’m concerned that traffic lights will only make that problem worse.”
And Councillor Angus Forbes, who leads PKC’s environment and infrastructure committee, remarked: “When those roadworks were first announced they were due to start on May 28 [and] in advance of that start date, I arranged for temporary speed reduction measures to be installed on Main Street to mitigate any further ‘rat running’.
“As I understand the situation, there would appear to be an issue with ownership of some of the land the new roundabout will occupy.
“It would have been helpful if the developers had advised us of the delay and when it will be resolved.”
Dundee Lochee councillor Charlie Malone was reported as saying this week: “Near misses [at the roundabout] are now a daily occurrence. It feels that it is a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or worse”.
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council merely said: “We are aware of the issue at Swallow Hotel roundabout. Swallow roundabout at the border of Perth and Kinross and Dundee
“We will continue to support Springfield Properties where possible.”
And Springfield Properties managing director for Central Scotland, Peter Matthews, said: “We are working closely with Dundee City Council and Transport Scotland to improve the functionality of the Swallow roundabout.
“Springfield is currently in the process of refining these designs which, unfortunately, is taking longer than anticipated.
“Once the designs are finalised, we will start work on the roundabout. This is likely to be the start of next year.”