Commuters and travelers from across Perth and Kinross who regularly navigate the major A90 corridor will be interested in the recently completed modifications at the well-known Swallow Roundabout in Dundee. This critical junction, a gateway to the city often used by residents of Perth, Kinross, and the surrounding regions for daily commutes and onward journeys, has undergone its latest phase of improvements aimed at bolstering safety and streamlining vehicle movement. The alterations specifically address long-standing concerns regarding driver confusion and congestion, particularly following the introduction of traffic lights earlier this year.
The initial comprehensive project to reconfigure the roundabout, necessitated by increased traffic volumes anticipated from the nearby Western Gateway housing development at Dykes of Gray, concluded in March. For the first time, this major interchange saw the installation of traffic signals, a change that, while intended to improve flow, inadvertently led to new challenges. A subsequent safety review highlighted certain aspects of the new layout as ‘confusing,’ prompting calls for further adjustments to enhance clarity for motorists.
In response to these findings, remedial work commenced recently. This period, unfortunately, introduced further complexities for drivers as the main traffic signals were temporarily deactivated, causing fresh instances of driver uncertainty and near misses. However, this follow-up project has now reached its conclusion, with all traffic lights fully reactivated and the new road markings firmly in place. While the developers, Springfield Properties, have remained tight-lipped on the granular details of the ‘technical amends,’ citing proprietary reasons, a closer inspection of the changes offers valuable insights for our local drivers. Key Modifications for Perthshire Drivers
One of the most impactful changes for Perth and Kinross residents travelling towards Dundee involves the approach from the Perth direction, particularly for those intending to turn right onto Riverside Drive. Previously, the road markings on this dual carriageway approach presented a confusing scenario: the outside lane appeared to cater to both straight-on traffic heading towards the Kingsway (A90 North) and those turning right onto Riverside Drive (A85). However, once on the roundabout, vehicles in this outside lane were then compelled to take the Riverside Drive exit. This often left drivers feeling ‘trapped’ or forced into an unintended lane, a situation frequently highlighted in public feedback and safety audits.
Under the new configuration, this ambiguity has been substantially clarified. Motorists can now confidently remain in the outside lane when approaching the roundabout if their destination is northwards onto the Kingsway (A90). A significant innovation is the gradual emergence of a third ‘breakout’ lane on the outer periphery of the approach, delineated by a broken white line. This dedicated lane is specifically for traffic intending to turn right onto the A85 Riverside Drive, effectively resolving the prior ‘trapping’ issue and providing a much clearer path for all drivers. Enhanced Roundabout Lane Guidance
Beyond the approach, subtle yet crucial adjustments have been implemented within the roundabout itself. A recurring issue identified in the initial setup was the uncertainty experienced by drivers entering the roundabout from the Perth direction and aiming for Riverside Drive. This often led to hesitation about which of the two subsequent lanes to utilize at the next set of signals, contributing to hazardous situations and close calls.
With the latest modifications, traffic entering the roundabout with the intention of exiting onto Riverside Drive is now intuitively guided into the correct lane for a seamless exit, mitigating previous points of conflict. This improvement is further aided by the strategic introduction of another ‘breakout lane’ on the inner side of the roundabout, designed for vehicles turning right from the Dykes of Gray area towards Perth. Additionally, new road markings on the northbound lanes provide unambiguous instructions, clearly designating the two left lanes for the A90 continuation and the right-hand lane for the A85 exit. Impact on Perth & Kinross Journeys
For drivers from Perth, Crieff, or other parts of Kinross-shire, these adjustments promise a more predictable and potentially safer passage through what has been a notoriously complex junction. While the core element of the roundabout – the traffic lights – remains a point of contention for some, often contributing to tailbacks, the enhanced lane guidance is a welcome development. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while delays may still occur, especially during peak times, the overall clarity and reduced potential for sudden lane changes offer a marked improvement in driver confidence.
For instance, a recent journey by one of our reporters during a weekday morning observed that while the presence of traffic lights could still lead to queues, the new markings made navigating the junction significantly more straightforward. Even with a brief standstill behind a vehicle turning off towards Dykes of Gray, the underlying impression was one of improved safety. The lights, love them or loathe them, are now a permanent fixture, but the emphasis on clear and intuitive lane management is expected to make journeys less stressful and more secure for the countless Perthshire residents relying on this vital transport artery.
The initial comprehensive project to reconfigure the roundabout, necessitated by increased traffic volumes anticipated from the nearby Western Gateway housing development at Dykes of Gray, concluded in March. For the first time, this major interchange saw the installation of traffic signals, a change that, while intended to improve flow, inadvertently led to new challenges. A subsequent safety review highlighted certain aspects of the new layout as ‘confusing,’ prompting calls for further adjustments to enhance clarity for motorists.
In response to these findings, remedial work commenced recently. This period, unfortunately, introduced further complexities for drivers as the main traffic signals were temporarily deactivated, causing fresh instances of driver uncertainty and near misses. However, this follow-up project has now reached its conclusion, with all traffic lights fully reactivated and the new road markings firmly in place. While the developers, Springfield Properties, have remained tight-lipped on the granular details of the ‘technical amends,’ citing proprietary reasons, a closer inspection of the changes offers valuable insights for our local drivers. Key Modifications for Perthshire Drivers
One of the most impactful changes for Perth and Kinross residents travelling towards Dundee involves the approach from the Perth direction, particularly for those intending to turn right onto Riverside Drive. Previously, the road markings on this dual carriageway approach presented a confusing scenario: the outside lane appeared to cater to both straight-on traffic heading towards the Kingsway (A90 North) and those turning right onto Riverside Drive (A85). However, once on the roundabout, vehicles in this outside lane were then compelled to take the Riverside Drive exit. This often left drivers feeling ‘trapped’ or forced into an unintended lane, a situation frequently highlighted in public feedback and safety audits.
Under the new configuration, this ambiguity has been substantially clarified. Motorists can now confidently remain in the outside lane when approaching the roundabout if their destination is northwards onto the Kingsway (A90). A significant innovation is the gradual emergence of a third ‘breakout’ lane on the outer periphery of the approach, delineated by a broken white line. This dedicated lane is specifically for traffic intending to turn right onto the A85 Riverside Drive, effectively resolving the prior ‘trapping’ issue and providing a much clearer path for all drivers. Enhanced Roundabout Lane Guidance
Beyond the approach, subtle yet crucial adjustments have been implemented within the roundabout itself. A recurring issue identified in the initial setup was the uncertainty experienced by drivers entering the roundabout from the Perth direction and aiming for Riverside Drive. This often led to hesitation about which of the two subsequent lanes to utilize at the next set of signals, contributing to hazardous situations and close calls.
With the latest modifications, traffic entering the roundabout with the intention of exiting onto Riverside Drive is now intuitively guided into the correct lane for a seamless exit, mitigating previous points of conflict. This improvement is further aided by the strategic introduction of another ‘breakout lane’ on the inner side of the roundabout, designed for vehicles turning right from the Dykes of Gray area towards Perth. Additionally, new road markings on the northbound lanes provide unambiguous instructions, clearly designating the two left lanes for the A90 continuation and the right-hand lane for the A85 exit. Impact on Perth & Kinross Journeys
For drivers from Perth, Crieff, or other parts of Kinross-shire, these adjustments promise a more predictable and potentially safer passage through what has been a notoriously complex junction. While the core element of the roundabout – the traffic lights – remains a point of contention for some, often contributing to tailbacks, the enhanced lane guidance is a welcome development. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while delays may still occur, especially during peak times, the overall clarity and reduced potential for sudden lane changes offer a marked improvement in driver confidence.
For instance, a recent journey by one of our reporters during a weekday morning observed that while the presence of traffic lights could still lead to queues, the new markings made navigating the junction significantly more straightforward. Even with a brief standstill behind a vehicle turning off towards Dykes of Gray, the underlying impression was one of improved safety. The lights, love them or loathe them, are now a permanent fixture, but the emphasis on clear and intuitive lane management is expected to make journeys less stressful and more secure for the countless Perthshire residents relying on this vital transport artery.