Delays are likely at busy A9 junction

Sep 8 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

MOTORISTS are bracing themselves for delays as work starts to install a new road sign at Perth’s busiest junction.

A new variable message sign (VMS) will be erected on the southbound verge of the A9 trunk road, half a mile north of the Broxden Roundabout.

Work began yesterday and traffic restrictions will be in force for the duration of the six-week contract.

VMS play a crucial role in monitoring, informing and controlling the trunk road network efficiently. A recent Mori poll showed that 75% of respondents find VMS useful and, of that 75%, nearly one third found them very useful.

Broxden Roundabout is one of the busiest junctions in Scotland, with approximately 29,000 vehicles using it every day. The VMS at that location will provide vital information to commuters using the junction.

Amey, on behalf of Traffic Scotland, has designed the scheme to install this VMS sign on the A9 as part of an overall five-year programme to increase the number of VMS on the trunk road and motorway network across Scotland.

The nearside lane of the southbound carriageway will remain closed for safety, with traffic management in place continuously.

The workforce will be on site between 7am and 7pm each day and the speed limit will be reduced from 70mph to 50mph for the duration of the works.

With Dundee United playing St Johnstone on Saturday, September 26, both lanes will open to accommodate the increase in traffic.

The closure will be reinstated on the Sunday evening to allow work to progress on Monday, September 28.

Gordon Allan, Amey’s Associate Director for Scotland said: “We are installing this VMS for Traffic Scotland for whom we operate a contract to maintain their Traffic Scotland infrastructure throughout the whole of Scotland.

“That includes CCTV cameras, emergency roadside telephones, VMS and overhead lane control signals.

“We have worked closely with local agencies to clearly understand the likely short-term impact of this installation on road users and therefore programme the project to keep this to a minimum.”

Drivers are urged to take a ‘cone sense, common sense’ approach to roadworks.

Mr Allan added: “Keep to the speed limit, it has been implemented not just for your safety but for the workforce – speeding vehicles are a serious threat to staff.’’