Weekend roadworks on the Friarton Bridge at Perth will not lead to a repeat of chaotic traffic scenes that hit motorists and sports fans just over a year ago, authorities insist.
Concerns have been raised that with the northbound carriageway of the bridge being closed from 8pm on Friday until 5am on Monday, thousands of people travelling to see Scotland play England at rugby in Edinburgh, along with east coast football matches involving the Dundee teams, could all face significant delays as those experienced on the weekend of September 3 and 4 in 2016.
At that time, a southbound carriageway closure led to massive tailbacks with the kick-off of a cup tie at Brechin being delayed for 10 minutes and a sports commentator claiming it had taken him 90 minutes to travel from the Friarton Bridge to Dundee.
Earlier this week, Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, claimed the Friarton Bridge roadworks being carried out this weekend could not have been planned for a more “inconvenient” time, due to all the sporting fixtures taking place.
However, a spokesperson for Bear Scotland stated the roadworks will definitely go ahead and outlined the steps that have been taken to try to avoid a repeat of the scenes witnessed in September 2016.
“As it is essential that these maintenance works are completed as soon as possible, we intend to proceed this weekend as planned,” she said on Thursday.
“We have notified the football clubs potentially affected by this weekend’s roadworks, along with the Scottish Rubgy Union (SRU), to advise that any travelling support should leave extra time to complete their journey.
She continued: “We have made site operatives aware of delays during the bridge works in 2016 and asked that they are vigilant for any recurrences.
“We encourage all road users to leave extra time to complete their journey and plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date information.”
Mr Fraser previously said: “The last time the Friarton Bridge was closed in 2016 it resulted in huge tailbacks.
“This weekend we will have thousands of football fans and many more travelling down to see the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield and the prospect of long delays will not be welcomed.”
