By Dave Lord

CYCLISTS IN the Carse of Gowrie are pressing for a safe path crossing the A90, insisting they are forced to take their lives in their hands every time they cross the busy road.

News that Transport Scotland is refusing to consider such a path due to a perceived lack of interest has incensed local residents and politicians.

Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perth, yesterday visited the Glendoick interchange with campaigners and local councillor John Hulbert.

The activists insist the crossing provides a perfect setting for a cycleway and are asking Transport Scotland to reconsider the issue.

“This is an issue on which I have been in correspondence with Transport Scotland for some time since campaigners first raised the matter with me toward the end of last year,” Ms Cunningham said.

“Transport Scotland agreed to carry out a feasibility study but—given their previously expressed antipathy to the project—I was not hugely surprised when the report came back proposing that no action be taken.

“I was, however, disappointed by the reasons given for selecting the ‘do nothing’ option.

“The ‘historical and currently identified lack of significant cycling in this location,’ as the report puts it, is, frankly, a very lazy get-out.”

“Of course, there is little cycling or sign of cycling demand in the area—and there won’t be until and unless safe links like the one I am pressing for here at Glendoick are put in place.”

Ms Cunningham insists there are strong arguments in favour of the cycleway and is encouraging campaigners not to give up the fight.

“Transport Scotland are not just putting the cart before the horse— they are putting the car before the bike,” the MSP said.

“The arguments against this safe link are very weak and I will be continuing to press the case vigorously in the future.”

Dr Roger Humphry is a local resident and has been among those campaigning for the link.

“For those of us who live in the villages of the Carse, the A90 is not just an important road artery connecting Perth and Dundee, it is a massive barrier of concrete and speeding traffic, slicing the Carse in two,” he said.

“I would like to be able to cycle in relative safety and I do not think it is asking too much—in light of the massive sums that have been spent in improving safety for motorised traffic on the A90—for a bit of consideration to people like me, who just wish to access the other side of the road by bike.

“I appreciate all that Roseanna has done so far to highlight the need for this link and I hope that further pressure will bring this campaign to a successful conclusion.”

Dr Hulbert, councillor for the Carse of Gowrie and Provost of Perth and Kinross, is similarly wholehearted in his support.

“To argue that there is no demand for this link is a very blinkered approach by Transport Scotland,” he said.

“I have certainly been lobbied about it by cyclists from Errol and it seems to fit well with the paths and cycle tracks network already in place around the Carse.

“It has not been highlighted in the past because the A90 has been such a major obstacle but now there is a bridge and that has changed.

“It seems entirely reasonable to me to create a short length of cycle track along the carriageway.

“It would link up with the bridge and truly connect the north and south sides of the Carse.”