The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Traffic check to ease logjam Transport:
Trial to examine flow of vehicles so signalling can be improved
A trial which could lead to traffic flowing more quickly at the Longman Roundabout in Inverness will get under way on Monday.
Traffic flows and junction performance will be closely monitored and data gathered during this time evaluated. Transport Scotland andHighland Council will then review the findings to determine the next steps.
The only changes will be to signal times. Road users should experience shorter cycle times and see a reduction in delays as a result.
Transport Scotland’s operating company manager, Jonny Moran, said: “We have listened to the local community in Inverness and are working with our specialist contractor and BEARScotland to find a solution to improve the efficiency of the lights at Longman Roundabout.
“Our evaluation of traffic flows suggests that altering the timings of the signals will have a positive effect on congestion, but we need to assesshowthis will work in practice.
“Drivers should continue to use the roundabout as normal during this time as we need to get as realistic a picture of its operation as possible.
“We appreciate motorists’ continued co-operation while the teams carry out the trial, and thank them in advance for their patience while we look to determine an improvement to the junction operation for road users.”
These alterations are expected to make a positive difference in the short term and there are further improvements planned in the coming years, with the recently announced Inverness and Highlands CityRegion Deal.
This will see the grade separation of the A9/A82 Longman interchange and the A9/A96 link road improvement to improve congestion and accessibility to Inverness.
Councillor Allan Henderson, chairman of Highland Council’s Community Services Committee, said: “I am pleased to see this trial get under way. Anything that can be done to reduce delays for people will be welcomed and I am hopeful that this will enable a permanent solution to be found.”
As part of the recently announced Inverness and Highlands City- Region Deal, significant investment will be made in the trunk road network to deliver the grade separation of the A9/A82 Longman interchange and the A9/A96 link road improvement to relieve congestion and improve access to Inverness in the longer term.