Residents of Kilspindie, a tranquil Perthshire village, are grappling with an unprecedented surge in traffic, describing their community as being ‘bombarded’ by vehicles. This unexpected influx is a direct consequence of ongoing roadworks on the A90 between Dundee and Perth, prompting a significant number of motorists to seek alternative routes through the normally quiet Carse of Gowrie.
Ian Alexander, a 50-year-old local who commutes to Ninewells Hospital, voiced grave concerns for public safety, suggesting it was merely a matter of time before a serious incident occurred. He noted a drastic increase in vehicle volume, with hundreds of cars now passing through the village at peak times, a stark contrast to the usual daily count of around 30. The narrow, winding roads of Kilspindie, typically used by local residents, pedestrians, and cyclists, are ill-equipped to handle such a heavy load.
The extensive roadworks, managed by Amey, commenced on August 3 and are projected to continue for a total of 12 weeks. These essential infrastructure upgrades necessitate the closure of the second lane on both carriageways of the A90, coupled with a reduced 30mph speed limit. Predictably, these measures have led to considerable tailbacks and delays in both directions, pushing frustrated drivers onto the rural network.
Mr. Alexander highlighted aggressive driving behaviours, with some motorists reportedly speeding excessively through the residential areas of Kilspindie, despite a posted 20mph limit. He recounted an incident over a recent weekend where a vehicle struck his wheelie bin, adding, ‘next it could be a pedestrian, cyclist, dog or child.’ For him, the daily commute has been extended by approximately 20 minutes due to the constant need to yield at passing places on the congested single-track roads. Community Leaders and Official Responses
The severity of the situation has drawn the attention of local authorities. Ian Alexander’s suggestion to install ‘local traffic only’ signs on the diversion routes was reportedly dismissed on grounds of excessive sign clutter, a response that has only amplified residents’ frustrations.
Councillor Angus Forbes, representing the Carse of Gowrie ward, expressed escalating apprehension regarding the sheer volume of vehicles now traversing these local routes. He underscored that the existing infrastructure was fundamentally unsuited to accommodate such a significant influx of traffic. While acknowledging the council’s position that limiting access is legally complex, Councillor Forbes felt this stance ultimately fell short of addressing the tangible concerns of the community. He advocated for a change in governance, suggesting that trunk roads ought to fall under the direct purview of local authorities, which would enable more thorough oversight and the implementation of effective mitigation measures on local roads.
Similar concerns have been raised by residents in the nearby village of Errol, indicating a wider regional impact of the A90 diversions on communities across Perth and Kinross. The situation highlights the delicate balance between essential infrastructure upgrades and the preservation of local community safety and quality of life. The Way Forward
In response to the growing concerns, an Amey spokesperson stated that they had investigated various measures to encourage drivers to remain on the A90. However, they concluded that relocating the lane closures further along the trunk road would merely shift the problem elsewhere, not resolve it. The spokesperson also clarified that issues related to speeding fall within the remit of Police Scotland, and that Amey lacks the authority to restrict public access to alternative routes. Despite these limitations, Amey pledged to continuously monitor journey times as the works progressed.
Perth and Kinross Council, in conjunction with Traffic Scotland, reiterated that the primary responsibility for the roadworks rested with Amey, the contracted service provider. However, they confirmed their commitment to collaborating with Amey to address any issues arising from the ongoing project. The community remains hopeful that effective solutions can be found to alleviate the current traffic pressures and restore the peace and safety of Kilspindie and other affected Perthshire villages.
Ian Alexander, a 50-year-old local who commutes to Ninewells Hospital, voiced grave concerns for public safety, suggesting it was merely a matter of time before a serious incident occurred. He noted a drastic increase in vehicle volume, with hundreds of cars now passing through the village at peak times, a stark contrast to the usual daily count of around 30. The narrow, winding roads of Kilspindie, typically used by local residents, pedestrians, and cyclists, are ill-equipped to handle such a heavy load.
The extensive roadworks, managed by Amey, commenced on August 3 and are projected to continue for a total of 12 weeks. These essential infrastructure upgrades necessitate the closure of the second lane on both carriageways of the A90, coupled with a reduced 30mph speed limit. Predictably, these measures have led to considerable tailbacks and delays in both directions, pushing frustrated drivers onto the rural network.
Mr. Alexander highlighted aggressive driving behaviours, with some motorists reportedly speeding excessively through the residential areas of Kilspindie, despite a posted 20mph limit. He recounted an incident over a recent weekend where a vehicle struck his wheelie bin, adding, ‘next it could be a pedestrian, cyclist, dog or child.’ For him, the daily commute has been extended by approximately 20 minutes due to the constant need to yield at passing places on the congested single-track roads. Community Leaders and Official Responses
The severity of the situation has drawn the attention of local authorities. Ian Alexander’s suggestion to install ‘local traffic only’ signs on the diversion routes was reportedly dismissed on grounds of excessive sign clutter, a response that has only amplified residents’ frustrations.
Councillor Angus Forbes, representing the Carse of Gowrie ward, expressed escalating apprehension regarding the sheer volume of vehicles now traversing these local routes. He underscored that the existing infrastructure was fundamentally unsuited to accommodate such a significant influx of traffic. While acknowledging the council’s position that limiting access is legally complex, Councillor Forbes felt this stance ultimately fell short of addressing the tangible concerns of the community. He advocated for a change in governance, suggesting that trunk roads ought to fall under the direct purview of local authorities, which would enable more thorough oversight and the implementation of effective mitigation measures on local roads.
Similar concerns have been raised by residents in the nearby village of Errol, indicating a wider regional impact of the A90 diversions on communities across Perth and Kinross. The situation highlights the delicate balance between essential infrastructure upgrades and the preservation of local community safety and quality of life. The Way Forward
In response to the growing concerns, an Amey spokesperson stated that they had investigated various measures to encourage drivers to remain on the A90. However, they concluded that relocating the lane closures further along the trunk road would merely shift the problem elsewhere, not resolve it. The spokesperson also clarified that issues related to speeding fall within the remit of Police Scotland, and that Amey lacks the authority to restrict public access to alternative routes. Despite these limitations, Amey pledged to continuously monitor journey times as the works progressed.
Perth and Kinross Council, in conjunction with Traffic Scotland, reiterated that the primary responsibility for the roadworks rested with Amey, the contracted service provider. However, they confirmed their commitment to collaborating with Amey to address any issues arising from the ongoing project. The community remains hopeful that effective solutions can be found to alleviate the current traffic pressures and restore the peace and safety of Kilspindie and other affected Perthshire villages.