Delaysat Bothwell Bridge
Drivers’fury as new lights cause traffic chaos
Motorists have been caught up in long tailbacks as a result of new lights at the entrance to Bothwell.
There have been long lines of traffic in the area around Bothwell Bridge since the three-way traffic signals came into effect on Monday.
Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell this week pointed to opposition to the scheme during public consultation on the M8/M73/ M74 improvements.
She said: “Transport Scotland claimed the signals would improve the flow of traffic on local roads but it is clear from events on Monday that it has had the opposite effect.”
She added that the new system is causing delays in commuters’ journeys.
Motorists experienced long tailbacks as a result of new lights at the entrance to Bothwell on Monday afternoon.
There was a long line of traffic backed past the Scottish Fire and Rescue offices northbound on Hamilton’s Bothwell Road about 4pm.
The mini-roundabout area at Bothwell Bridge, which links Hamilton and Bothwell Road (B7071), has three-way traffic signals as part of the M8/M73/M74 motorway improvement project.
Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell, whose Hamilton constituency office is situated nearby, wrote to South Lanarkshire Council chief executive Lindsay Freeland to highlight the matter this week.
The local authority is expected to take on responsibility for the lights at a later date. Mrs Mitchell has also written to Scottish Government cabinet minister Keith Brown on the matter.
She pointed out following Monday’s congestion that there was “strong opposition” during public consultation to the roundabout being replaced by traffic signals. Opponents believed they would cause “unnecessary congestion”.
Mrs Mitchell commented: “Around 4pm on Monday those concerns were realised with significant queues accumulating along the northbound carriageway of the B7071 Bothwell Road on the approach to Bothwell Bridge.
“It’s obvious that the installation of these lights will result in substantial delays to the journeys of commuters.
“Transport Scotland claimed that the signals would improve the flow of traffic on local roads, but it is clear from events on Monday that it has had the opposite effect.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “New traffic signals have been installed at the junction of the B7071 Hamilton/bothwell Road junction as part of the improvement to Raith junction and are in the process of being fully commissioned.
“In keeping with standard practice when introducing new traffic signals, the contractor, Scottish Roads Partnership, is monitoring the performance of the lights and is making any adjustments to optimise signal timings and improve traffic flow.”
South Lanarkshire’s head of roads and transportation, Gordon Mackay, said: “The works associated with the installation of the traffic signals require to be completed to the satisfaction of the council before the responsibility for their ongoing management and maintenance will be handed over to the council. At this time, Transport Scotland’s contractor has further works to undertake before this can be considered.
“Their contractor is also currently investigating options to resolve the current operational issues that have resulted in congestion at the junction.”