I have this afternoon issued the following news release, following concerns about abuse of the weight restriction on the bridge over the railway just south of the Botanic Gardens on Riverside Drive: West End City Councillor Fraser Macpherson has raised the concerns of residents about abuse of the weight restriction by some HGV drivers at the bridge across the railway on Riverside Drive south of the Botanic Gardens.
The main roadway of Riverside Avenue has been closed to through traffic since 9th February due to road resurfacing and, since then, residents have reported a number of abuses of the weight restriction on the bridge on the roadway up to Perth Road. The bridge is designated a “weak bridge” and has a weight limit of 3 tonnes.
“The concerns were first raised at last Tuesday’s West End Community Council meeting and thereafter I and one of my West End Ward councillor colleagues raised the matter with the City Council,” said Cllr Macpherson.
“I contacted the Team Leader of Sustainable Transport in the City Council and he immediately wrote to the major bus and coach operators reminding them about the correct diversionary route and that this bridge is not suitable for any bus or coach routing,” said Cllr Macpherson. “The Council has also advised Tayside Police of the issue and I am assured that action is taking place to enforce any abuse by LGVs or PCVs of this weight restriction.”
The councillor said he was concerned, however, to learn of further reports of a coach and a lorry using the bridge on Friday.
“As I had a meeting at the Botanic Gardens this Sunday afternoon, I made a point of waiting for a few minutes at the bridge and saw a large coach travel over the bridge. It is very concerning as the weight limit on the bridge is there for good reason,” continued the councillor. Cllr Macpherson, who is also the City Council’s Planning & Transport Convener, has reported the most recent incidents to the City Council and has also raised his concerns directly with the bus companies.
“It is very important that HGV drivers adhere to the correct diversionary route and avoid this weak bridge,” concluded Cllr Macpherson.
The main roadway of Riverside Avenue has been closed to through traffic since 9th February due to road resurfacing and, since then, residents have reported a number of abuses of the weight restriction on the bridge on the roadway up to Perth Road. The bridge is designated a “weak bridge” and has a weight limit of 3 tonnes.
“The concerns were first raised at last Tuesday’s West End Community Council meeting and thereafter I and one of my West End Ward councillor colleagues raised the matter with the City Council,” said Cllr Macpherson.
“I contacted the Team Leader of Sustainable Transport in the City Council and he immediately wrote to the major bus and coach operators reminding them about the correct diversionary route and that this bridge is not suitable for any bus or coach routing,” said Cllr Macpherson. “The Council has also advised Tayside Police of the issue and I am assured that action is taking place to enforce any abuse by LGVs or PCVs of this weight restriction.”
The councillor said he was concerned, however, to learn of further reports of a coach and a lorry using the bridge on Friday.
“As I had a meeting at the Botanic Gardens this Sunday afternoon, I made a point of waiting for a few minutes at the bridge and saw a large coach travel over the bridge. It is very concerning as the weight limit on the bridge is there for good reason,” continued the councillor. Cllr Macpherson, who is also the City Council’s Planning & Transport Convener, has reported the most recent incidents to the City Council and has also raised his concerns directly with the bus companies.
“It is very important that HGV drivers adhere to the correct diversionary route and avoid this weak bridge,” concluded Cllr Macpherson.