Council blunder led to city chaos

DELAYS: Probe after gaffe saw bridge shut for no reason

Blundering council bosses have admitted a major arterial route through Perth was closed off for most of a day by mistake.

It has emerged a “breakdown in communications” was blamed for the mistake that left hundreds of motorists caught up in lengthy delays on Sunday.

The closure of one lane of the old Perth Bridge saw tempers flare and some drivers chose to ignore the closure due to the lack of visible work, weaving between the cones.

A council spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise for the impact this unnecessary closure had on road users on Sunday, and we will be investigating where the breakdown in communication happened to try to avoid this situation happening again.”

An investigation has been launched after hundreds of motorists were delayed in traffic jams after a major route through Perth was closed in “error”.

The closure of a lane on the old Perth Bridge saw traffic queued back to Scone and to the toll house on Dundee Road in the opposite direction.

A council spokesperson admitted the mistake saying: “Diversion and road closure signage and cones laid out on old Perth Bridge on Sunday afternoon were there in error.

“They had initially been booked in with the company who carries out this work for the council to allow some investigatory work on the bridge.

“However, initial checks had demonstrated that further work would not be necessary and the booking was cancelled.

“Unfortunately, this information does not appear to have been received by the company who went ahead and implemented the road closure.

“As this was on a Sunday the error was not immediately picked up. We sincerely apologise for the impact this unnecessary closure had on road users on Sunday, and we will be investigating where the breakdown in communication happened to try and avoid this situation happening again.”

The spokesperson said the north lane was closed from 11pm on Saturday until 2am on Sunday and the south lane was closed from 2am until the cones were removed at 3pm. The rest of the traffic management was removed by 5pm on Sunday.

One of those caught up in the chaos was photographer Angus Findlay from St Madoes.

As he approached Perth along Dundee Road he attempted to avoid the lengthy queues by heading up to Kinnoull and down Lochie Brae only to be confronted with the bridge lane closure and cars backed up.

Because he was driving to photograph an event he decided to abandon his car at the Bridgend car park and walk. He estimated the traffic jam had delayed him by 50 minutes.

“I have never seen it so congested apart from when the races or another major event is on at Scone,” said Mr Findlay, 49.

“People were getting really frustrated, it was gridlock.”

He said he witnessed at least one driver deciding to ignore the lane closure which led to angry exchanges with pedestrians.

On hearing that it had been mistake Mr Findlay described it as “bizarre”.

“Someone has to take responsibility for this,” he said.

I have never seen it so congested apart from when the races or another major event is on at Scone. ANGUS FINDLAY

Picture: Angus Findlay. The congested crossing at Bridgend due to the partially-closed bridge.

Picture: Angus Findlay. There were long delays when a lane of the old Perth Bridge was closed.