Commuters in Arbroath are facing two months of roadworks misery as diggers return to the town’s main arterial route.
The second phase of a roads project aimed at improving traffic flow around the Westway/A92 roundabout at Arbroath will begin on September 10 and last for eight weeks.
The works will include the installation of traffic signals at the Westway Retail Park, junction resurfacing, road marking and the formation of two lanes for the approach to the A92 Dundee Road roundabout.
The first phase of the project saw lengthy delays and caused chaos for residents in Arbirlot as irresponsible drivers used the village as a high-speed rat-run.
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “The traffic signals will include Toucan crossings.
“This will be a significant benefit to pedestrians and cyclists – linking the southbound bus stop on Westway with the retail park, providing a link across the retail park access road and improving the Westway crossing point for the National Cycle Network Route 1.
“Temporary traffic management systems will be in place for the duration of the works.
“Westway will remain open and access to the retail park will be maintained throughout.
“The project follows a traffic assessment that was carried out to identify improvements that could be made to traffic flow in the area.
“The first phase of the works was carried out late last year and again in February.
“We would like to thank people in advance for their patience and understanding while this improvement work is carried out.
“Updates regarding changes to traffic management systems will be issued as the works progress.”
Councillors agreed the work would span two financial years to lessen the impact on limited budgets.
Drivers reported daily hold ups of more than half an hour on approaches to the busy mini-roundabout beside the Westway retail park as the first phase got started.
Tea-time queues stretched back beyond the Elliot roundabout and on to the dual carriageway and bus firm Stagecoach East Scotland was forced to apologise to customers over delays to services as far apart as Perth and Aberdeen.
Angus Council encouraged drivers to avoid the area altogether and the queues resulted in rat-runners going through the village of Arbirlot to dodge the delays.
There were reports of minor accidents on the single-track narrow road and Police Scotland was forced to urge drivers to adjust their speed accordingly.
