Planners are “choking the life” out of Dundee’s waterfront trade as traffic issues continue to bite, business owners have claimed.
Traffic regularly grinds to a standstill at the City Quay business and retail outlets at peak times, with commuters claiming it takes 10 minutes to move 100 yards.
Road closures and traffic problems at Camperdown Street prompted one business owner to hit out at the council’s planning team.
However, the council has asked motorists to be patient while the essential works are carried out.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: “The council have dug this grave and we’re all having to lie in it.”
Office workers, business owners and residents voiced anger at a series of decisions which have reduced access to the City Quay development to one junction.
Jeff Yu, manager at The City Harbour restaurant, said: “There have been traffic problems for years, with various closures and changes about which we haven’t been consulted.
“It has recently got dramatically worse and it’s definitely affected us.
“The council don’t listen and we’ve seen no reduction in our rates. But I do ask, what can we do about it?
“At one point I’d avoid driving past my own restaurant if I could because the traffic in the area was so bad.
“I know the council have their eyes on the waterfront development, and think that in the end these problems will be solved, but who will be around by then?
“I don’t think it’s short-sighted to ask what the council will do for us now because we’re trying to do business today.
“The big push towards the waterfront is leaving a lot of businesses behind and they aren’t helping us out at all.”
The junction on South Victoria Dock road is closed for three months due to building works associated with the new waterfront and access to Dock Street across a level crossing has been permanently closed.
Shoaib Salimi, manager at Taza restaurant, said: “The only way out now is a very short junction controlled by the lights. Only one or two cars can get out every time the lights go green.
“It’s an absolute nightmare for us. First we changed our rota because nobody wanted to finish at 5pm when the rush starts.
“But it’s worse than that, the problem is two-fold, firstly we’re having trouble getting people in, because the traffic is so bad, and secondly our delivery drivers are having trouble getting out.”
Workers at offices along City Quay claim it can take 35 minutes or longer just to get to the end of Camperdown street at 5pm.
One woman said: “I had a driving lesson after work, and was sat in traffic for 20 minutes before I got on to Dock Street.”
Kerry Findlay, from Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, said: “It just seems to be getting longer and longer as they close off more roads. There are gyms and restaurants and a real night time economy here if people were willing to come down, but they aren’t.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “As part of the £1 billion waterfront project, essential works are being carried out on the southern boulevard.
“This means drivers temporarily cannot turn left out of Camperdown Street.
“Please bear with us while these essential works are carried out. They are due to be completed within 8-12 weeks.”