Road closure sees hold-ups on busy route

The closure of a busy route to and from Broughty Ferry to allow a pedestrian crossing to be built is causing traffic issues for motorists.

A stretch of Dundee Road West is shut between Strips of Craigie Road and Fairfield Road for six weeks.

The work, which was not included on Dundee City Council’s weekly roadworks list, will see a new toucan crossing installed close to Margaret Crescent and the

Dairy Bridge over the railway.

A diversion is in place along Craigie Drive and Strathern Road, causing long tailbacks during busy periods.

Traffic has been backing up along Broughty Ferry Road eastwards, leading to the roundabout as all cars approach in the right lane.

Cars are also blocking the roundabout itself as the diversion route up Craigie Place to the junction with Craigie Drive becomes quickly congested.

One motorist said he was stuck in traffic for 40 minutes during rush hour.

Neil Cooney, chairman of Broughty Ferry Community Council, said: “We support the improvements and recognise it’s difficult to manage these things without disruption.

“Hopefully they can complete it quicker than the six weeks.”

The toucan crossing will have traffic lights, and is designed to allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross at the same time.

A kerb realignment and a central island, which will narrow the carriageway and moderate speeds, will form part of the £262,510 upgrade.

The pavement on the south side of Dundee Road West will also be resurfaced from Strips of Craigie roundabout to Dairy Bridge opposite Margaret Crescent.

Speaking previously, Kevin Cordell, the council’s cycling spokesperson, said the upgrade will provide safer facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

He also said the new crossing will connect to a 26 mile leisure cycle and walking route, which circumnavigates Dundee called the Green Circular.

Once completed, the Grassy Beach/ Stannergate seaside walkway will be linked northwards with the current route over Strathern Road and through the Dundee and Angus College campus.

From there, the route continues up over a new crossing installed on the A92 Arbroath Road.

ISSUES: The roadworks on the stretch to Broughty Ferry. Picture by Gareth Jennings.