ROADWORKS THAT caused major headaches for drivers in Dundee city centre are to recommence on Monday after being suspended over the festive period.

Motorists in the city centre face seven weeks of frustration as contractors for Dundee City Council press ahead with the realignment of the main city ring road as part of the £270 million central waterfront redevelopment project.

Work on the road realignment element of the flagship project began in April and continued through to the autumn.

Many drivers voiced their frustration at the work and there was also concern among the business community in the city centre as levels of passing trade dwindled.

Dundee City Council acknowledged the concerns at the time and agreed the roadworks would be suspended in time for the switching on of the Christmas lights in November.

The local authority yesterday confirmed the outstanding work on the realignment would begin on Monday and last for seven weeks.

In a statement the council said: “The city council suspended work to realign South Marketgait between the rail station and Nethergate over the festive season to avoid disruption at that time of year for city centre businesses and shoppers.

“The contract restarting on Monday is to finish work on the southbound carriageway between the Nethergate junction and the Greenmarket junction.

“Also to be completed are the installation of new traffic signals and reconfigured pedestrian crossing at the Nethergate junction and the completion of Yeaman Shore.

“The work will require traffic management between West Port and the station, with two-way traffic maintained but with lane restrictions necessary at certain points. Access to Sensation and DCA will be maintained during the seven weeks needed for the work.

“Both north and southbound traffic will still be able to access Yeaman Shore. There will be no right turn for any traffic northbound from West Marketgait into Nethergate—buses and taxis which are normally the only vehicles permitted this manoeuvre can use Yeaman Shore instead.

“Motorists who have to use the area may wish to build in extra time for their journey because of possible delays.”