New Ferry cycle count will not be seen at site

A cycle counter in Broughty Ferry which has been accused of giving faulty readings is to be replaced but will no longer show the data at the site.

Ferry councillor Craig Duncan had criticised the Douglas Terrace device for giving “inaccurate” numbers after it recorded him and his dogs as a cyclist.

In 2018 the counter recorded 50,000 cyclists passing from the point it was switched on in June that year.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans claimed last year it had been fixed, but it will now be replaced by a new counter, as will others across Scotland.

However, data from the replacement counter will only be visible via Sustrans’ website, with no display at the site itself.

Mr Duncan has said it is important for the public to be able to see the count happen in real time to know whether it is being done accurately.

He said: “If you are going to have a cycle counter machine, it is important that the data is actually correct.

“Their counter in Dundee has not been reliable for much of the last 12 months.

“These reliability issues are also affecting many other counters and Sustrans have not been able to reach a solution with the supplier. Faults are too numerous and repairs are too slow, requiring Danish engineers to come over to Scotland.

“The replacement will not have a scorecard visible to members of the public.

“Given the current counters are not fit for purpose, it is sensible they are being removed, but I have raised my concern with the council that the proposed replacement will not have a counter visible to the public.”

The removal is expected to happen over the summer months and the cost will be covered by Sustrans.

Councillor Craig Duncan has issues with a cycle counter.