M9 chaos drives commuters mad
Rush hour commuters in Stirling have been hit by traffic misery on the M9.
Drivers have faced lengthy delays exiting at Craigforth and there have also been delays travelling from the city centre towards the junction with some reporting halts of up to 45 minutes.
Tailbacks at the exit have at points tailed back as far as two miles, almost to the Pirnhall roiundabout.
The traffic nightmare first arose last week, after the Prudential base at Craigforth had speed humps installed as a traffic calming measure.
A Prudential spokesperson said: “We’re acutely aware of traffic congestion on the roads surrounding M9 Junction 10 and the rise in traffic using the Craigforth roundabout, not only to access the Craigforth campus but also as a result of infrastructure works currently underway around Stirling.
“Following a number of minor incidents, steps have been taken to improve traffic safety on site, including traffic calming.
“We are monitoring the effectiveness of these and have been in contact with various local agencies to discuss how traffic can be managed more effectively.
“In playing our part, we have plans to provide extra buses to serve the campus, introduce a car-pooling app and facilitate further flexibility in work patterns to help find a solution to the frustrations that all drivers are experiencing at present.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “Whilst the roads affected are not within the council’s remit, we are involved in ongoing discussions with Amey and BEAR Scotland, the trunk road operators for the M9 and the A84, regarding traffic issues in this area.”
Safety concerns have been raised over standing traffic on the M9 approaching the slip road to Craigforth.
One driver said: “The motorway is dangerous, with traffic at a standstill back to the Granada junction, and unaware traffic travelling towards it at 70mph.”
A nearby employer, who does not wish to be named, says up to 20 members of staff have been held up on their way in to work since the implementation of the humps, some delayed as much as 45 minutes.
They said: “This has been a problem for the last 12 months or so, but it has been much worse since last Monday.”
Stirling North Councillor Danny Gibson said: “I have raised this with Craigforth site representatives as well as with council officers for any possible assistance we can give. Personally I hope it will be possible to promptly remove the bumps meanwhile so all concerned can consider matters afresh.”