Roadworks on the Friarton Bridge have caused major traffic chaos with some motorists said to have been held up for 90 minutes and a football match being delayed.
The work, which is part of a £325,000 resurfacing programme carried out on behalf of BEAR Scotland, has led to long tailbacks of vehicles in and around Perth, with the city experiencing gridlock as well.
Motorists were stuck in long queues of traffic between the Broxden Roundabout and the Friarton Bridge, with commuters being affected from Bridge of Earn up to Kinfauns.
The roads chaos had a knock-on effect in Perth itself, with traffic ground almost to a standstill around 2.45pm on Saturday in Tay Street and South Street.
The chaos meant the kick-off to the Irn Bru cup tie between Brechin and Dunfermline Athletic at Glebe Park was put back by 10 minutes because of “traffic difficulties” and BBC Sportsound commentator Rob Maclean claimed he had a 90 minute journey up to Dundee, where he was reporting on the Irn Bru cup tie between Dundee United and Peterhead.
Rachel McConachie was travelling from the Broxden roundabout to the Friarton Bridge on Saturday, and described the traffic delays as “horrendous.”
She said: “I’m stuck in standstill traffic between Broxden roundabout to Friarton Bridge.Traffic on the bridge is down to one late each way as they’re resurfacing so this has caused tailbacks in both directions.
“Anyone coming to or from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness to Perth via this road is screwed – on a Saturday too. Not enough warnings on Twitter, Traffic Scotland this morning.
“We’re not moving!”
And Jim Boyd, 52, of Dundee, added: “I was delayed on my way to Dundee. It’s totally ridiculous to have roadworks on a Saturday on such a busy stretch of road – it’s real chaos.
“You have to ask why have these roadworks on a Saturday?”
The southbound carriageway of the Friarton Bridge was closed with the northbound being restricted to one lane.
A spokesperson for BEAR Scotland initially claimed the delays were not down to the roadworks but later confirmed this was the case.
“These resurfacing works follow on from earlier improvements carried out earlier this summer. Although we are aware of some delays today, it is not unusual for resurfacing works like these to take place over a weekend when traffic flows are generally lighter,” she said.
“These works are scheduled to be completed by 6.30am on Monday, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to road users during this time.”
She added that the resurfacing work is taking place on the southbound carriageway of the bridge, with a contraflow system in place between Kinfauns Castle and Craigend.
The Traffic Scotland website reported there were no delays in the area.
Police Scotland said the traffic disruption had been down to the volume of vehicles caught up with the roadworks.
The delays eased around 4.30pm on Saturday.
