Improvements to the “bottleneck” Broxden roundabout on the outskirts Perth are “a priority”, Transport Scotland has pledged.
The government body has been urged to take action at the traffic hot spot amid claims that the current road layout connecting the busy A9 and M90 roads is in need of change.
“We recognise the role Broxden plays in the strategic road network,” said a spokesperson for Transport Scotland.
They were responding to claims by Lib Dem councillor Willie Wilson that the current set-up was a “major bottleneck on the trunk road network” causing frustrations for delayed motorists.
Mr Wilson had written to transport minister Humza Yousaf to express his disappointment that been that studies of the roundabout to identify improvements had yet to be completed.
He asked for a detailed timetable for the ongoing study and the potential costs and timescales for implementation of any proposed changes.
The Transport Scotland spokesperson confirmed investigations are wide-ranging and still ongoing.
“We are working with Perth and Kinross Council to understand what improvements are needed to support development in the area and how developers will contribute towards these,” they said.
“Improvements identified include installing dedicated left-turn lanes on various approaches to the roundabout and signalisation.
“We are now investigating these proposals in detail including various engineering aspects, such as lane geometry, land acquisition requirements, environmental impacts, installation costs and potential implementation timescales.
“As part of the ongoing study on the future of the roundabout, work to carry out a series of detailed surveys is now under way.
“These will provide a greater understanding of the ground and other environmental conditions in the area. This in turn will determine the study timescales and detail of measures, including potential costs and timescales for implementation.
“Details of costs and potential timing of any phased improvements will be dependent on the findings of the study.
“With regards to improvements beyond those outlined, the A9 at Perth will be considered further as part of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review, which will be informed by the outcomes that emerge from the ongoing review of the National Transport Strategy.”
