Safety upgrades to a roundabout on the Perthshire border took a step forward after a settlement was reached to purchase a disputed area of land nearby.
The “ransom strip” of land near Dundee’s Western Gateway will be bought by developer Springfield Properties, allowing them to install traffic lights at the Swallow Roundabout near Invergowrie.
A row over the area, due to a lack of clarity over ownership, has held back proceedings for a number of years.
But with the issue now resolved the upgrade works can get underway, which will include the installation of traffic lights, better pedestrian access and an increase in the number of lanes.
The breakthrough also allows the housing developer to build more homes in the Western Gateway.
Works are due to start in the new year and will be completed by the end of 2022.
There have been repeated calls by Carse of Gowrie ward councillors for upgrades to the Swallow Roundabout amid fears over potential dangers to pedestrians trying to cross the road.
Local councillor Angus Forbes welcomed the news but criticised the timing of the works.
“I welcome this announcement and glad it’s finally happening albeit years after it was originally planned,” he said.
“I organised temporary speed bumps in Invergowrie Main Street in advance of the last date to try and minimise traffic and they are still there.
“Residents of Invergowrie will need to brace themselves for an influx of rat-run cars while the works are ongoing, it’s a pity this could not have been done during the lockdown when the roads were empty.”
Fellow representative Alasdair Bailey also voiced concern over rat runs in the nearby village. He said: “This is great news for pedestrian and cyclist safety at the junction itself.
“Hopefully my concerns about the lights sending more traffic rat running through Invergowrie turn out to be misplaced.
“I’d hate for us to just be moving the problem of traffic from one place to another.”
Chief executive officer of Springfield Properties, Innes Smith, said: “This deal represents months of complex work and liaison with several stakeholders and we are pleased that we have managed to reach this stage to deliver the upgrades to the roundabout.”
