New A9 traffic lights prompts protest group
ENGINEERS have promised to keep a close eye on congestion linked to the multi-million pound Kessock Bridge works after new traffic lights at the busy Longman roundabout triggered additional queues of vehicles during peak times yesterday.
Motorists heading towards the roundabout on the northbound carriageway of the A9 also experienced tailbacks during Wednesday evening’s peak period, hours after the new lights were switched on as part of £2million mitigation measures to reduce congestion while the £13.2million bridge repairs are carried out from Monday.
It has prompted angry commuters to set up a Facebook page demanding: "Get rid of the Kessock Bridge traffic lights."
The page was established last night and already has more than 250 supporters. It was launched with the statement: "Who thought installing traffic lights would make things better. I've never had to queue to get into Inverness from the A96 flyover down to the Kessock roundabout in the morning. And only ever get delayed getting back on to the A9 from Inverness between 5pm and 5.30pm, never during the day. But now we are all delayed at any time."
Motorists did not expect the delays and several businesses were rocked by staff arriving late. Highland Council workers were among those affected and the local authority called on Scotland Transerv, which is carrying out the works on behalf of Transport Scotland, to issue an explanation.
A spokesman for the agency said: “This is an initial bedding-in process and these engineers will remain on site on Friday morning making further fine adjustments as necessary. Engineers will also be available on site next week as traffic flows and patterns are expected to be significantly different from this week.”
He stressed traffic management would be continually under review, but business leaders thought omens for next week were not good, including Inverness Business Improvement District manager Mike Smith, who thought problems could negatively impact the city’s economy and public confidence in the road network.
Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol highlighted the need for good communications of delays from Scotland Transerv, as did the council’s administration leader Drew Hendry.
“Timing of the traffic lights on the Longman roundabout appear to be causing delays for northbound traffic and giving much longer green time to the traffic coming off the bridge,” Councillor Hendry said. “We have sought assurances that this is a ‘bedding-in’ problem that is being addressed and adjustments will be made to improve the situation.”
Last week motorists were warned to leave an extra hour for peak-time journeys once the 17-weeks of major refurbishment starts. It will include the closure of the northbound carriageway, with a contraflow system on the southbound lanes. Several measures, including additional public transport, has been put in place in a bid to reduce the number of motorists using the route during the work.
Cycling campaigners will today ask transport minister Keith Brown, who is officially opening Conon Bridge rail station, to order a rethink on the routing of cyclists and pedestrians during the bridge works. It comes days after Inverness taxi drivers won concessions to be able to travel in the dedicated bus lane if carrying special needs pupils to school.
Meanwhile, a two-week £250,000 resurfacing of a northbound stretch of A9 carriageway at Badachreamh, near Moy.
* Let us know how Monday’s roadworks affect you by contacting us by phone: 01463 233059, email: editorial@inverness-courier.co.uk, or Twitter: @InvCourier.
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