The temporary closure of one of only two routes in and out of Perth’s Inveralmond estate is unavoidable, say council chiefs.
The 10-week closure of Ruthvenfield Road is to allow works associated with the new A9/A85 junction improvement and link road to Bertha Park.
Frustrated motorists have been calling for action, claiming the one-mile journey to exit the estate has been taking up to 50 minutes at peak times since the route was shut on January 15.
The Courier has received fresh complaints from drivers this afternoon. One man told us: “I’ve been stuck here for 45 minutes and moved 100 yards… So much for a green footprint.”
Others have contacted Conservative MSP Liz Smith, who has written to BEAR Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council urging them to come up with a solution to the delays.
“Improvements to the A9/A85 junction are to be welcomed but users of the Inveralmond industrial estate feel betrayed by a road closure that is causing serious delays,” said Ms Smith.
However, Perth and Kinross Council has said it cannot create an alternative way out of the estate.
“A complete closure of Ruthvenfield Road is required to allow the works to take place,” said a spokesman. “It is impracticable to construct an alternative route through the area due to a major gas mains being located nearby.
“The council is working closely with its contractors to ensure that the works are carried out as efficiently as possible in a bid to reduce the necessary period of road closure.”
The council acknowledged the closure was likely to cause additional queuing at Inveralmond roundabout at peak times but said it was working with its partners to keep delays to a minimum.
Journey times are being monitored daily and roads bosses have spoken to some of the larger employers in the estate to request that they allow flexible working patterns where possible.
“The businesses have also been asked to encourage their staff to consider using alternative modes of transport including car sharing, walking and cycling,” added the spokesman.
