Work to install a series of road safety measures and remove traffic lights in an east Perthshire town should be completed in a matter of weeks.
Perth and Kinross Council took the controversial move last June to switch off traffic lights in Blairgowrie town centre and introduce a 20mph speed limit to ease congestion in the area.
The trial project and subsequent public consultation on the project found there were no significant issues with traffic management or road safety.
Work to remove the traffic lights was originally scheduled for Christmas but concerns raised by local businesses, Blairgowrie and Rattray community council and local councillors led to the local authority postponing this.
However, this removal work has been delayed further by winter weather with a spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council stating it should be completed around the middle of this month.
The work on installing the road safety measures has already begun and its first phase will see the installation of a new puffin crossing by Riverside Court on Boat Brae. The second phase will have another puffin crossing put in by the Ericht Alehouse in Wellmeadow.
Work in this area will also include a new ‘build-out’ on the Wellmeadow side of the road, with existing road signs in this part of town being removed.
The third phase of the road safety measures will centre on the bus terminus at Wellmeadow and will include the removal of the existing crossing point on Gas Brae, Blairgowrie and the installation of a new puffin crossing located near this site.
In addition, ‘Give Way’ markings will also be installed where Commercial Street meets the A93, and the pedestrian crossing point on Commercial Street by the Crown pub will be converted to a stand-alone puffin crossing.
Yesterday, the spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed they are hopeful of finishing the project by mid-March.
“About the third of the work has been undertaken and we are hopeful of completion around mid-March,” she said.
“However, winter weather has caused delays and this may cause further delays, so the completion date can’t be guaranteed.”