Transport chiefs have been urged to establish an improved warning system to alert snowsport enthusiasts about road conditions around Glenshee, Scotland’s largest ski resort.
Just days after the centre was awarded a major windfall to upgrade its facilities, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has highlighted the importance of keeping potential visitors up to speed with the state of roads, particularly the A93 main access route.
The weekend at the start of this month saw hundreds of skiers en route to the resort get stranded in horrendous conditions. Businesses hit out at the lack of communication, as traffic was allowed to stack up on the Blairgowrie to Glenshee route, only to be stopped by police at Bridge of Cally.
Mr Fraser welcomed the £5.5 million funding boost announced last week by tourism minister Fergus Ewing for Glenshee and other resorts.
“Nonetheless, if Transport Scotland can’t properly sort out the road links connecting Glenshee, then these improvements will fail to have the greatest possible impact,” he said.
“Uncertainty over whether roads are passable or not is a big consideration for people making the journey from the central belt to Glenshee and better communication is a starting point for this.”
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the A93 road’s strategic importance to the ski industry and, despite the non-trunk status, Traffic Scotland informs users of closures on the route in a bid to minimise any travel disruption.”
Responsibility for the A93 lies with Perth and Kinross and Aberdeenshire councils.