Warning of delays during roadworks

BROXDEN: £900,000 project will take a month to complete

Motorists are being warned to brace themselves for delays and disruption as a major programme of roadworks gets under way at Broxden roundabout.

The £900,000 scheme is due to last for a month and will be carried out in six phases in an effort to minimise the disruption abd delay to traffic.

Bear Scotland, which is spearheading the project, said teams would be working to repair damage caused by the harsh winter, as well as improving skid resistance to make the roundabout safer.

Crews will be working overnight and at weekends wherever possible, focusing on the A9 approach to Broxden, the roundabout itself and the M90 to Craigend.

Bear spokesman Andy Thompson said: “We have planned the traffic management to minimise disruption while trying to complete the improvement works in as short a time period as is practical.”

Motorists will have to endure monthlong roadworks around one of Tayside’s busiest junctions.

The work, which is being financed by the Scottish Government at a total cost of £900,000, will begin on Thursday on the M90 motorway between Broxden and Craigend and run in six phases until July 2.

Bear Scotland, which will carry out the work, has conceded disruption is “inevitable” but says the work is required due to the impact of “extreme winter” conditions on roads.

Most of the roadworks will take place overnight but the expansive operation will include three, 24-hour weekend projects.

The trunk road authority has also said the roadworks are necessary to create a “smoother and safer” journey for road users and will involve resurfacing areas of the carriageway and improving road markings.

It claims it will limit disruption to motorists by deploying a six-phase scheme but drivers have already seen delays in recent months on the Broxden to Inveralmond stretch due to major changes to the infrastructure required for the Cross Tay Link Road.

A spokesperson for Bear Scotland said: “Overnight and weekend road maintenance improvements are scheduled to take place around Perth on both the M90 and A9 trunk roads, including the Broxden roundabout, starting on Thursday.

“Transport Scotland is investing £900,000 in these improvement works on the trunk roads around Perth. The works will involve resurfacing areas of the carriageway and improving road markings, creating a smoother and safer journey for road users.

“To try to limit disruption to road users, the improvement works have been planned in phases.”

Andy Thompson, Bear Scotland’s representative for the north-east of Scotland, added: “This programme of essential improvements on the Broxden Roundabout and the surrounding trunk roads will not only address deterioration in the road surface following the impact of extreme winter conditions but will also specifically enhance the skid resistance and therefore the safety on the roundabout itself.

“This is a major junction on Scotland’s trunk road network where the A9 and M90 intersect. As such, some disruption will unfortunately be inevitable.

“We have planned the traffic management to minimise disruption while trying to complete the improvement works in as short a time period as is practical with overnight closures and weekend contraflows.

“We appreciate that any roadworks cause an impact to road users and request patience while we carry out these works to improve these roads for the longer-term.”

“We encourage motorists to plan their journey in advance and check the Traffic Scotland website before setting out.”

The works have been planned in consultation with the emergency services, Perth and Kinross Council and Transport Scotland.