A ‘heated’ meeting took place involving Rosyth residents and Transport Scotland regarding the proposed gantry required for part of the Forth replacement crossing, The Courier has been told.
“Investigations are currently being undertaken into the feasibility of providing additional screening over and above the mitigation that is already planned, which includes trees, a screen fence and other planting adjacent to the gantry.
“On February 28, advanced tree felling works were undertaken by BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, on land owned by Scottish Ministers on the M90 adjacent to the Park Lea estate.
“A small number of mature trees were removed and residents of Park Lea were notified in advance by BEAR Scotland on February 21 that these works would be taking place.
“In addition, a small portion of common land alongside the M90 to which residents of the Park Lea estate have a right of access has now been acquired under the Forth Replacement Crossing Act.
“These advanced works and the acquisition of land are required for the installation of one of a number of new overhead fixed and variable message sign (VMS) gantries on the M90 that will form part of the Forth replacement crossing intelligent transport system-a managed motorway system designed
to provide improvements to the control and safe operation of the M90/A90/M9 corridor extending 22km from Halbeath to Newbridge.
“Replacement vegetation and trees will be planted following completion of these works.
“The works to install these gantries were included in the Forth replacement crossing’s indicative scheme design and assessed as part of the environmental statement, which accompanied the introduction of the Forth Crossing Bill in 2009.
“The acquisition of land at Park Lea was included in the Land Register that also accompanied the bill at that time.”
The gantry will be built at the Pitreavie turn-off from the M90 and, as a result, has led to some trees being felled along Park Lea in Rosyth.
The meeting took place at the Sportsman Bar, Rosyth, and the residents were represented by Rod McCrae, a surveyor.
He told The Courier that an explanation was given as to why the gantry is being built and claimed that some residents may be offered compensation from Transport Scotland.
“Lawrence Shackman of Transport Scotland explained how 890 square metres was acquired on May 15 for a super gantry,” he said.
“It was explained that the gantry had to be erected as a final warning to exit the M90 for Pitreavie. The intelligent transport system will have speed warning, traffic messages and lane controls.
“A maintenance lay-by is to be constructed to the west of the M90 and more trees would be cut back to improve visibility splays.
“After the roadworks are completed, a two-metre-high sound barrier will be erected and a hedge and some four-metre-high trees would be planted. A large area of common parkland would be lost to the scheme.”
“A new southbound bus lane would be added for the new park and ride facility at Halbeath. It was confirmed that compensation may be due to the residents either from May 15 or in 2017. The scheme follows the Forth Crossing Act.
“It is maintained by the residents that there was a public presentation in January 2009 where they were told that the Admiralty and Masterton junctions would remain unchanged.’Notification too late'”Thereafter, in January and March 2011, the residents received recorded delivery papers but this notification was too late to alert them to object to qualify them to attend the public inquiry in July/August 2010.
“Even at a recent community council meeting, very little of the detailed proposals were available.
“The residents queried the need for the gantry at the location. Alternatively, they suggested a longer gantry spanning the southbound lane, with a maintenance lay-by on the east side of the M90 where there are no houses.
“They requested a three-metre-high fence instead of a two-metre-high fence. This would at least provide some privacy protection. They requested pre-scheme photographic records of condition for their houses as piling works are scheduled. They requested pre-entry sound and air pollution testing.”
Mr McCrae said that Transport Scotland did not hold out much hope for any changes in their proposals.
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said they were aware and “appreciative” of the concerns raised in relation to the planned works adjacent to Park Lea on the M90.
“Transport Scotland officials met with residents of Park Lea and Rosyth Community Council this week and we have agreed to investigate the feasibility of further mitigation works in addition to those outlined at the meeting in order to address these concerns,” she said.
Continued…