The £150 million Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR), including the New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge, opened in March 2025 to alleviate traffic congestion in Perth's Bridgend area. However, 15 months later, trunk road signage on all major approaches to the city still directs traffic via Bridgend, prompting frustration from local councillors.
Councillor Calls for Action
Perth and Kinross Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey has been pressing Transport Scotland to update the signs but has received no response. He first contacted the council in May and was told they had reached out to Transport Scotland. He then directly contacted Transport Scotland on June 3 but has heard nothing back.
Bailey said: “The CTLR was built at considerable expense and one of the benefits was stated as being a reduction in traffic through the pollution hotspots in the city centre, notably at Bridgend. It’s therefore disappointing to see this level of inaction from Transport Scotland whose signs on all of the approaches to Perth still send traffic pouring through Perth’s Dundee Road and then Bridgend to reach destinations like Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Braemar.”
Impact on Traffic and Air Quality
The CTLR was designed to reduce congestion and improve air quality in Perth city centre by linking the A9, A93 and A94 via the Destiny Bridge over the River Tay. However, the outdated signage undermines these goals. Bailey added: “Over a year on, you’d think they’d have updated the signs to take advantage of the much-improved road. Residents of Perth deserve better from their national roads authority.”
He is awaiting traffic data from Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) to assess the road's impact, but expects it to be less effective due to the misdirection.
HGV Concerns Raised
At a PKC Climate Change and Sustainability Committee meeting on May 27, Conservative councillor Hugh Anderson reported an increase in HGVs using the Bridgend route, possibly to avoid delays at Broxden. He said: “What we’re getting is more traffic coming in through old Scone, through Bridgend, lorry traffic, HGVs, avoiding the bypass because of the delays at Broxden – my favourite place, which should be blown up.” He noted a significant rise in lorries on that route, which he observes daily.
Transport Scotland Responds
After Bailey's public comments, Transport Scotland announced a review. A spokesperson said: “The Cross Tay Link Road was a Perth and Kinross Council-led project. Concerns regarding signage on the North East network have now been brought to our attention and we have acted on this by asking Amey to undertake a review of the affected signing. We have responded to the councillor to outline next steps.”
In a letter to Bailey, Transport Scotland stated: “Once the review has been completed, we will consider the findings and agree the most appropriate signing strategy to ensure that all road users are provided with sufficient directional signage. The review is currently under way. I have asked Amey to provide you with an update once the review has been completed.”
