Motoring misery:

Motorists were warned to expect some delays

Rush hour motorists faced lengthy delays yesterday as work began to create a new junction and link road on the A9. The council had warned commuters to expect disruption and journeys into Perth were taking up to 20 minutes longer.

Commuters experienced delays yesterday as roadworks started on the outskirts of Perth.

Perth and Kinross Council had asked motorists to car share or use public transport while work to create a new junction on the A9 and a link road to the Berth Park development is ongoing.

The works, part of the Perth Transport Futures Project, began on Sunday night on the A9 between the Broxden and Inveralmond roundabouts.

Motorists faced outside lane closures on the northbound carriageway.

John Leyland, 38, of Perth, said he had to wait 10-15 minutes in a queue when he was travelling into work near the Inveralmond roundabout yesterday morning.

“I felt part of the problem was that hardly any motorists were using both lanes,” he said.

“It seemed nearly everybody stuck to the left lane with the exception of a few drivers, and this resulted in long queues.”

A message issued on social media on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council, BEAR Scotland and Transport Scotland warned motorists to “expect delays”.

A spokesperson for BEAR Scotland added: “These works are being undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council.

“The council liaised with Transport Scotland and Bear Scotland regarding access to the trunk road network.

“We advised they should publicise the works effectively to make motorists aware of any potential impact so they could make informed decisions about their journeys.”

Perth Transport Futures Project’s website states the overall work will create a grade-separated junction and a link road, providing a better flow of through traffic and easier connections to Inveralmond.

The works, estimated to cost around £35 million, should also reduce pressure at the Inveralmond roundabout.

Once completed, the massive infrastructure development will include two new roads connecting the A85 to the new interchange, a roundabout on Ruthvenfield Road, a footbridge over the River Almond, a footbridge over the A9 linking Tulloch to Inveralmond Industrial Estate and a culvert to carry the Perth Lade under the A9.

I felt part of the problem was that hardly any motorists were using both lanes. JOHN LEYLAND

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Traffic was delayed by an average of 10 minutes on the first day of roadworks.