Claypotts junction traffic misery will continue well into the new year, council chiefs have confirmed.
Dundee City Council development convener Will Dawson has admitted the recent works have placed the lights at the double junction on two different systems, making them impossible to synchronise.
Previously, the council told The Courier they had deliberately altered light sequences at the junction ‘at the request of drivers’.
Mr Dawson said the current situation will continue throughout the festive season and warned people to avoid the junction if possible.
He said: “The council had originally intended to replace both sets of lights at the same time in a contract that would have lasted anything up to six weeks but, after discussions with local traders, we agreed to replace one set and do the work on the other after Christmas.
“It was anticipated that this would create some difficulties as the control system for one set of lights would no longer synchronise with the other and would therefore need manual monitoring and intervention to the phasing when necessary.
“Unfortunately, as well as the two systems ‘not talking to each other’ it also means that they cannot be pre-programmed to work together.
“We know this has led to delays and frustration for drivers and our staff are doing all they can to try to minimise inconvenience until the work is completed by the end of January.”
Mr Dawson added: “It is unfortunate that in trying to meet the needs of one set of stakeholders, we have inconvenienced and upset another group.
“While the lights at the Claypotts Road junction are under manual control and not synchronised with the new set I would ask drivers to leave a little longer for their journey, avoid the junction if possible or be patient until the new system is up and running in the new year.”
Steve James, chairman of the Broughty Ferry Traders’ Association, said: “The aim of reducing the works was to try to keep access to the Ferry open in the run-up to Christmas.”
One Arbroath motorist who spoke to The Courier said: “It’s hugely wasteful. The lights ahead are green and nobody can drive through them because the near light is red.
“The junction used to be OK but it is just a farce. I’ve been driving to work that way for many years and never been delayed like that before.”
Angry motorists took to social media to vent their fury at the problem lights.
AJ Fitchet on Twitter said: “Claypotts lights ‘improvements’ are horrendous. Dundee Council, please get them sorted urgently!”
Jemma Diamond said: “The new lights at Claypotts are a joke, they’ve made it worse.”
Broughty Ferry councillor Kevin Cordell said: “The works at Claypotts were certainly very necessary. It is a problem junction and after a lot of minor bumps and one serious crash, the works were very much required.
“I have asked the department to tweak them and over the weekend things seemed to be flowing a bit more smoothly.”
The bad news for motorists is that there is even more potential delay ahead.
Eight nights of road closures between Claypotts and Ethiebeaton are due to start on Sunday.