Roundabout upgrade is driven by land deal

Safety upgrades to a roundabout on the Perthshire border took a step forward after a settlement was reached to purchase a disputed area of land nearby.

The “ransom strip” of land near Dundee’s Western Gateway will be bought by developer Springfield Properties, allowing them to install traffic lights at the Swallow Roundabout near Invergowrie.

A row over the area, due to a lack of clarity over ownership, has held back proceedings for a number of years.

But with the issue now resolved the upgrade works can get underway, which will include the installation of traffic lights, better pedestrian access and an increase in the number of lanes.

The breakthrough also allows the housing developer to build more homes in the Western Gateway.

Works are due to start in the new year and will be completed by the end of 2022.

There have been repeated calls by Carse of Gowrie ward councillors for upgrades to the Swallow Roundabout amid fears over potential dangers to pedestrians trying to cross the road.

Local councillor Angus Forbes welcomed the news but criticised the timing of the works.

“I welcome this announcement and glad it’s finally happening albeit years after it was originally planned,” he said.

“I organised temporary speed bumps in Invergowrie Main Street in advance of the last date to try and minimise traffic and they are still there.

“Residents of Invergowrie will need to brace themselves for an influx of rat-run cars while the works are ongoing, it’s a pity this could not have been done during the lockdown when the roads were empty.”

Fellow representative Alasdair Bailey also voiced concern over rat runs in the nearby village.

He said: “This is great news for pedestrian and cyclist safety at the junction itself.

“Hopefully my concerns about the lights sending more traffic rat running through Invergowrie turn out to be misplaced.

“I’d hate for us to just be moving the problem of traffic from one place to another.”

Chief executive officer of Springfield Properties, Innes Smith, said: “This deal represents months of complex work and liaison with several stakeholders and we are pleased that we have managed to reach this stage to deliver the upgrades to the roundabout.”

Design David Campbell has organised an art competition to brighten up the facade of the Drummond Arms in Crieff’s James Square Artists are being invited to get creative for a competition which will see the winning entries displayed on one a Perthshire building. Drummond Arms Regeneration Ltd (DARL), the body set up in 2019 by Crieff Community Trust to take ownership of the former Drummond Arms Hotel in James Square, is looking for artists or designers to create temporary artwork for the four boarded-up windows on the Hill Street side of the structure. There will be a design award of £250, payable to each of the four successful designs. David Campbell is coordinating the art project for DARL. He said:“The windows will add vibrancy and colour to the town centre as we welcome the public back onto our streets. Artwork should be bold and designed to celebrate Crieff. “Any aspect of Crieff’s life can be used – celebrating the community, using the colours, people, landmarks, landscapes, shapes, heritage or feel of the town centre are all possible inspirations.” The decorated Hill Street windows will be part of a larger scheme that will transform the facade of the disused building, which is now owned by the community and is currently undergoing major specialist work to make it safe. David added:“A panel will judge the submissions for the window competition. “This will be a great opportunity for artists and designers to have their work on display for many years to come. “I’m calling it the‘prettification’ of the Drummond Arms. The building itself is actually quite solid but it does drag down the Square. The work that is being done internally has to be done but this will brighten up the facade.” The ongoing work was recently allocated an additional £140,000 of funding from Perth and Kinross Council. For further details on the art competition or to enter, email David via davidartscrieff@gmail. com

Campaign Angus Forbes at Invergowrie Primary School