Over the years, many constituents have contacted me about traffic management in the Perth Road lanes.
Quite a few people have asked if changing some roads (eg Thomson Street or Step Row) from two-way traffic to one-way would help improve traffic flow - that said, other residents have opposed this as one-way traffic would inevitably speed cars up.
In response to a number of recent comments on this subject from residents, I have again taken up the issue of traffic management with the Planning & Transportation Department - here's the latest feedback received:-
FROM PLANNING & TRANPORTATION, DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL :-
"The main problem appears to be related to moving into the traffic stream when parked and not knowing the direction of on-coming traffic, as well as opposing traffic on the resulting narrow carriageway.
"Traffic management of streets south of Perth Road has been looked at several times over the years. Other than Shepherds Loan which is signalised, any other road which is one-way is in the south bound direction -mainly due to the steep gradients and reduced visibility at the Perth Road junctions. Discounting unsuitable narrow roads where through traffic is undesirable, it is effectively Thomson Street and Step Row that are two-way through routes. Should Thomson Street become one-way southbound, that would result in increased displaced traffic northbound in Step Row, and it is also likely that Thomson Street could be more attractive for southbound traffic with higher s/b flow at higher speeds where the risk of meeting opposing traffic would be removed. There would also be increased right turning traffic at Step Row / Perth Road junction which is undesirable. The alternative routes for n/b traffic would be Roseangle or Magdalen Yard Road / Windsor Street, but the increased journey time involved is likely to result in higher speeds in these streets where similar 'give and take' traffic movements occur due to parked vehicles. It is interesting to note that an inspection of recorded injury accidents for the period 2003-2005 show none in the streets south of Perth Road or Roseangle, Magdalen Yard Road or Windsor Street.
"Although at times there can be opposing traffic in Thomson Street, there are 2 junctions (one at Seafield Lane and the other near no. 46) which allow passing and visibility is clear between them on this 150metre stretch. Looking at the direction of parked cars, about 2/3 are facing s/b anyway, which makes it easier to pull out from parking spaces. If the road was one-way, I would consider it more of an inconvenience to those residents accessing from the south than the difficulty experienced from moving out of the parking space."
"Traffic management of streets south of Perth Road has been looked at several times over the years. Other than Shepherds Loan which is signalised, any other road which is one-way is in the south bound direction -mainly due to the steep gradients and reduced visibility at the Perth Road junctions. Discounting unsuitable narrow roads where through traffic is undesirable, it is effectively Thomson Street and Step Row that are two-way through routes. Should Thomson Street become one-way southbound, that would result in increased displaced traffic northbound in Step Row, and it is also likely that Thomson Street could be more attractive for southbound traffic with higher s/b flow at higher speeds where the risk of meeting opposing traffic would be removed. There would also be increased right turning traffic at Step Row / Perth Road junction which is undesirable. The alternative routes for n/b traffic would be Roseangle or Magdalen Yard Road / Windsor Street, but the increased journey time involved is likely to result in higher speeds in these streets where similar 'give and take' traffic movements occur due to parked vehicles. It is interesting to note that an inspection of recorded injury accidents for the period 2003-2005 show none in the streets south of Perth Road or Roseangle, Magdalen Yard Road or Windsor Street.
"Although at times there can be opposing traffic in Thomson Street, there are 2 junctions (one at Seafield Lane and the other near no. 46) which allow passing and visibility is clear between them on this 150metre stretch. Looking at the direction of parked cars, about 2/3 are facing s/b anyway, which makes it easier to pull out from parking spaces. If the road was one-way, I would consider it more of an inconvenience to those residents accessing from the south than the difficulty experienced from moving out of the parking space."
As always, I'd be grateful for residents' feedback on this issue - you can e-mail me at trafficissues@frasermacpherson.org.uk.