Storm Abigail has been blamed for delays in carrying out roadworks in Kinross-shire that have now extended into a third week, causing delays for thousands of motorists.
Several frustrated people who use the M90 Inverkeithing to Perth motorway on a daily basis have contacted The Courier to express their anger at the time it is taking to complete the resurfacing work, with a contraflow system operating on a stretch of the road between Kinross and Milnathort.
Transport Scotland said than £5.3 million has been spent on “essential major maintenance” on the M90 over the last two years and has defended it’s decision to carry out the current roadworks.
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said that “some degree of disruption” is “inevitable” with any roadworks.
“That is why we keep road users informed and actively encourage them to take responsibility by planning their journeys in advance using information sources such as the Traffic Scotland website, Twitter and local radio bulletins,” she said.
A BEAR Scotland spokesperson revealed the roadworks had to be continued into a third week due to the after-effects of Storm Abigail, which battered the UK last week.
“The recent adverse weather conditions resulting from Storm Abigail have meant that the M90 Kinross resurfacing works have had to be extended,” she said.
“Works are currently programmed to be completed by Sunday this week. However, as with all our roadworks this is subject to weather conditions.”
The spokesperson stated the “improvement works” require near-dry conditions to complete the resurfacing and white-lining.
“Traffic management will remain the same as previously planned, with a contraflow system in operation throughout the works to allow for the carriageway repairs to take place,” she added.
“Real time traffic information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.trafficscotland.org or twitter @trafficscotland.”
However, John Cook, who travels regularly on the M90 between Edinburgh and Perth, said he felt the roadworks should have been done at a more suitable time of the year.
“Why start major roadworks like this when the weather is horrendous? It doesn’t make sense,” he commented.
“You end up being delayed for up to 20 to 30 minutes some days, which adds on to your journey time.”
Ian Watson, who uses the motorway to travel from Dunfermline to Dundee, said: “All you see is a motorway sign now telling you the work will take three weeks. It depends on what time of the day you hit them, but the queues can be really long.”