A senior Dundee councillor has called for a footbridge near one of the A90’s busiest roundabouts to be torn down and replaced with “modern pedestrian crossings” after raising concerns about its safety.
Coldside councillor Mark Flynn, who is depute convener of the local authority’s city development committee, said a “full traffic and pedestrian management review” should be carried out at the Kingsway’s Strathmartine Road roundabout.
Mr Flynn confirmed he has had discussions with road management and council officers after being contacted by concerned residents and has already secured a commitment to modify unsightly barriers on the route this spring.
However, he questioned whether the area of the bridge supported by the barriers, which were built to protect it in the event of an accident, is safe for road users in its current state.
It is understood those concerns are currently being assessed by engineers.
Mr Flynn said: “I fully appreciate Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland, following a safety survey, found protection was required.
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“However, they needed to be more sympathetic to the area regardless of the engineering restraints and also the homeowners’ concerns. Personally, I would prefer to see these bridges removed and proper pedestrian crossings put in place.”
The Coldside councillor believes plans to modify the barriers, which he predicts could take place around late March, will help to “alleviate concerns of residents in the area”.
But Mr Flynn said he would like to see the footpath removed entirely and replaced with pedestrian crossings similar to those installed outside the city’s new Regional Performance Centre for Sport.
He added: “I have also requested that a traffic survey be carried out in that area as I believe that this roundabout at Strathmartine Road requires a full traffic and pedestrian management review.”
Around £500,000 of improvements were carried out to footpaths crossing the Kingsway last year, including at Strathmartine Road, to improve pedestrian safety and reduce the risk of the overhead walkways being damaged in the event of an accident.
It followed a number of incidents in which footbridges on the A90 were damaged by vehicles careering off the road.
The responsibility for management of the route’s crossings and barriers lies with Transport Scotland and its roads contractor BEAR Scotland.
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “We have been working closely with Dundee City Council, Councillor Flynn and local residents regarding the appearance of the concrete safety barrier protecting the bridge supports at Strathmartine footbridge and any options for improvements.
“Dundee City Council is assisting our road operating company, BEAR Scotland, to undertake a traffic study to consider options for traffic and pedestrian movements at this location.
“Once the traffic study has been completed, we will continue to engage with stakeholders on any feasible improvements. In the meantime, amendments to the concrete barrier have been developed and will be installed in the spring.”
