Swallow Roundabout Improvements
Latest update - wc 28th April
While we await feedback on the safety audit, there is no planned works taking place at the Swallow Roundabout next week (wc 28th April).
I would like to take the opportunity to address some recurring points:
History and design:
As housebuilders building new homes in the area, Swallow Roundabout improvements were included as part of our planning consent.
We commissioned third party specialists to design improvements to meet Transport Scotland regulations. This was thoroughly reviewed and approved by the relevant authorities, including Transport Scotland, ahead of construction starting and changes to the approved design need to be requested by them.
Safety Audit:
You will be aware that a safety audit was carried out in March. The findings from this audit are being reviewed and discussed by the roundabout designers and the relevant authorities. Once actions have been agreed, Springfield will be in a position to instruct Luddon to carry out the works.
There is a strict process that needs to be adhered to, and involves multiple organisations, so it is difficult for us to predict timescales as to when we can expect the outcome of this audit.
When we have information about the alterations required, an update will be published here. If you would like to receive this information directly to your inbox, you can join the mailing list via the form at the bottom of this page.
Road markings/Signage:
A number of concerns have been raised about the road markings and signage. A review of these components was captured within the safety audit and we await updates.
Traffic Lights:
The inclusion of traffic lights at this busy junction was specifically requested by Dundee City Council to provide steady and safer movement from each road leading to the roundabout and to introduce safe pedestrian crossings.
While we were not part of that decision making process, we understand that the request to install traffic signals was principally as a means of control to allow better access to the road network from Dykes of Gray Road.
To clarify, traffic lights will not speed up the flow of traffic. Lights pause traffic at periodic points to allow a steady flow of movement from each junction and for pedestrians, and this will result in traffic build up, particularly at peak times.
Use of alternative routes:
We are aware that roads, not designed for such levels of traffic, are being utilised to avoid the Swallow Roundabout. Springfield cannot control the route that road users take and has no ownership or control of this route.
Concerns of this nature should be reported to the Council who have authority to take action.
As part of Springfield’s planning approval for new homes in the Western Gateway, improvements to the Swallow Roundabout, along the A90 in Dundee, are required to accommodate the growth in traffic as the new village, Dykes of Gray, progresses.
The roundabout design, approved in consultation with Transport Scotland, Dundee City Council, Perth and Kinross Council and Angus Council, includes the introduction of traffic signal controls and additional running lanes to accommodate the anticipated future traffic flows.
The majority of the works, which will require road closures, will take place between the hours of 7pm and 7am to keep disruption to a minimum and a diversion route will be clearly signposted.
Springfield has appointed Luddon Construction Ltd to carry out the improvements and work is scheduled to commence 17th June 2024 and is expected to last until Summer 2025.
Given the scale of these works, whilst we will take every step to keep disruption to a minimum, there will be increased delays for those who regularly use this route. For safety, a large element of the improvements will be carried out at night and sections of the road will be closed between the hours of 7pm and 7am. Diversion routes have been identified around local roads and will be clearly signposted.
FAQs
What are the improvements?
The proposals have been approved by Transport Scotland, Dundee City Council, Perth and Kinross Council and Angus Council. The improvements will be carried out by one of Scotland’s leading civil engineering and building contractors, Luddon Construction, and include:
- A lane added to the approach of the junction from Perth on the A90, for a left turn only to Dykes of Gray, Landmark hotel and to Liff.
- A new lane added from Dykes of Gray towards the A90 northbound.
- Traffic lights added on all approach roads to the roundabout which will enhance efficient traffic flows.
- A set of lights on approach to the roundabout from Dundee, which will for the first time provide controlled pedestrian access at the roundabout itself.
The following technical drawing shows what the roundabout will look like on completion:
Why are these improvements required?
The enhancements to the junction are necessary to manage the increased traffic as development in the area progresses and will also improve active travel routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
How long will the construction take?
The programme of improvements is expected to complete in Summer 2025. We will provide periodic updates on our dedicated Swallow Roundabout web page, and to those signed up to the mailing list about our progress.
When will work take place?
We understand that such significant works will have a major impact on those who live and work in the area, and those who regularly use this route. In efforts to keep disruption to a minimum, we are carrying out a large portion of the works at night between 7pm and 7am and will close sections of the road.
During these periods, diversion routes, identified by Dundee City Council and approved by Transport Scotland, will be clearly sign posted. These routes are shown in the maps below with the red section highlighting the closed section of the road, and the blue line showing the diversion route:
The maps below highlight where the directional signage will be located:
Who is carrying out the work?
We have appointed one of Scotland’s leading multi discipline civil engineering and building contractors, Luddon Construction. With nearly 50 years’ experience in this field, Luddon has worked on key projects across the UK including the pick-up and drop of car park at Edinburgh Airport, construction of a new spine road extension and roundabout in Hamilton and the removal of an existing and creation of a new roundabout in Robroyston.
You can learn more about Luddon Construction, here.
What are the diversion routes during the construction?
The maps show below the diversion routes that have been identified and approved by Dundee City Council and Transport Scotland. The red section highlights the closed section of the road, and the blue line shows the diversion route:
The maps below highlight where the directional signage will be located:
Will there be pedestrian access across the roundabout during the construction?
During the construction of the improvements, the only pedestrian access across the roundabout will be via the existing underpass that connects Mill Road with Dykes of Gray Road via the Landmark Hotel entrance.
Once the roundabout is complete, there will be pedestrian access across the roundabout connecting the Western Gateway to the Kingsway.
What do I do if I notice an issue with the traffic management?
If you notice a problem with the traffic management in place between the hours of 9am and 5pm and if it is safe to do so, please phone us on 01382 677855. To make us aware of a traffic management fault between the hours of 5pm and 9am, please contact the contraflow duty manager on 07788 923 089.
If there is an emergency issue that requires attendance from the emergency services, if it is safe to do so, please phone 999.
Why have there been so many delays in the delivery of the Swallow Roundabout?
The delivery of the Swallow Roundabout improvements has been a complicated project with lots of moving parts involving a number of stakeholders. We have remained committed throughout the various challenges of this project to deliver these upgrades and are pleased that work is due to start 17th June.
Why have the homes at Dykes of Gray been approved?
The land to the west of the Kingsway along Dykes of Gray Road, had been part of Dundee City Council’s local development plan, allocated for housing, for over 10 years. In 2014, Springfield submitted proposals to create a new village in line with the Council’s vision and in close collaboration with them at various stages of the design. Planning permission for development at Dykes of Gray was granted in 2015.
As part of this planning consent, due to the anticipated increase of traffic to the Swallow Roundabout from the increased occupation in the area, Dundee City Council added a clause that the capacity of the roundabout would need to be increased.
Will the trees be reinstated?
We try to limit the removal of established trees where possible and we look to replace trees throughout our developments.
In preparation for the junction improvements, we have needed to remove a number of trees, so once the works are complete there will be a clear view of the junction on approach. As such, we will not be able to replant trees in this area.
Location of the footpath from Dykes of Gray to Swallow Roundabout
The improvements to the Swallow Roundabout have been meticulously designed following thorough assessments and investigations by third party experts in this field using the land available to us. These designs have been assessed and approved by Transport Scotland, Dundee City Council, Perth and Kinross Council and Angus Council as part of the planning process.
Pedestrian Crossings
Following on from the previous point, the crossings have been designed by experts in this field to link to existing footpaths where possible using land that is available to us.
The time it will take to cross the road has also been taken into account in the design and is in keeping with standard guidelines.
Diversion route concerns
The majority of the works, which will require road closures, will take place between the hours of 7pm and 7am to keep disruption to a minimum and a diversion route will be clearly signposted. With this in mind, we expect traffic within these hours to be significantly less than at other points in the day.
We will install signage at key points to encourage road users to follow the diversion route signs as advertised, including no through road signs in areas where the roads are privately owned.
Winter maintenance
We have been advised by Dundee City Council that the diversion routes in place, whilst Dykes of Gray Road and Riverside Avenue are close, will be included in the winter maintenance routes over the winter.
Updates
During the course of construction we will notify those on the Swallow Roundabout mailing list about proposed lane closures and relevant diversion routes.
If you would like to also receive these updates, you can join the Swallow Roundabout mailing list here: