A Dundee councillor has expressed frustration about a lack of action to make the Swallow Roundabout safer for drivers.
Safety experts previously raised concerns about road markings, signage and possible collisions after a safety audit of the roundabout’s controversial new layout.
The Courier exclusively revealed in May that the audit was carried out on March 5 following months of work to change the roundabout on the western outskirts of Dundee.
But for several weeks the traffic lights caused long delays at certain times of day.
Motorists have also complained about the junction’s confusing lane markings.
Springfield Properties has been overseeing the changes, which aimed to help the junction accommodate more traffic from its growing Western Gateway housing development.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson has called for the suggestions made in the audit to be implemented.
He said: “I have received lots of complaints about the way the redesign of the Swallow Roundabout is functioning.
“People are really frustrated by tailbacks and confusing directional signage.
“I have repeatedly asked Springfield when the outcome of the safety audit would be known.
“But the matter is still dragging on unresolved.”
Safety audit recommends Swallow Roundabout lane markings review
The safety audit’s findings were only revealed via a freedom of information request in May.
The report said Stewart Paton Associates visited the Swallow Roundabout at around 4pm on March 5.
Safety experts described “unclear or conflicting” lane markings, which could lead to driver frustration, sudden changes and stopping, and potential “shunt-type collisions”.
They recommended a review of the lane markings on the approach to the roundabout from Perthshire.
The report added: “The audit team are of the view that an alteration in the markings may assist drivers (to) get into the correct lane before the circulatory carriageway as opposed to being trapped when halfway around the junction.
“The solution could be to provide a continuous lane marking for lane one and then allow traffic in lane two to ‘split for the A90 and A85 as they make their final approach to the roundabout.”
Auditors also said traffic approaching from Riverside Drive, heading northbound onto the Kingsway, was only using one lane instead of two.
According to the report, this was causing “a longer queue than necessary”.
New lane markings were recommended to help “guide drivers to use both lanes”.
West End constituents ‘rightly frustrated’ by Swallow Roundabout issues
Springfield is yet to announce whether it will make any major alterations to the roundabout after the safety audit.
In a response to Councillor Macpherson on June 9, the housebuilder said that when it is “aware of the outcomes, they will be communicated”.
The response said Springfield was working with Transport Scotland, Amey, the appointed design consultant and Dundee City Council to ensure any further changes to the roundabout are “fully considered”.
Councillor Macpherson added: “It is fast approaching four months since the safety audit took place.
“It is clear constituents are rightly frustrated this matter is dragging on and is not yet resolved.
“Many constituents feel the smooth-flowing of the trunk road traffic has been badly compromised by the new design and this needs to be rectified.
“Drivers find the lanes layout and directional signage confusing and the tailbacks on the trunk road are completely unacceptable.
“It is reasonable for the proposed improvements following the safety audit to now be made public and improvement works now undertaken as soon as possible.”
A Springfield spokesperson said: “The findings of the safety audit are under review by the roundabout designer and Transport Scotland to decide what measures should be taken to address the findings.
“We understand this part of the process has nearly concluded and look forward to learning the outcome.”
Conversation