MOTORISTS in Perth have been driven to despair over diversion signs directing traffic in opposite and all directions.
Drivers in Perth City Centre have been left wondering whether to go left, right or straight ahead with signs pointing in all three directions.
Various sets of roadworks happening at once over the last few days seems to have caused the confusion.
And while symbols have been placed on the corners of some signs to distinguish which diversion they apply to, some have been missing the symbols.
And – even with the symbols – with so many conflicting diversion signs confusion has ensued with drivers getting increasingly frustrated.
Heading towards the South Inch on Scott Street on Wednesday, August 30, the Local Democracy Reporting Service spotted three diversion signs – each with an arrow pointing in a different direction and all within 100 yards of each other.
Motorists have been left baffled.
A similarly confusing picture was captured on camera at the junction between South Street and Scott Street on Sunday directing diverted traffic both left and right.
The following day the sign directing traffic left was removed.
One disgruntled Perth resident said: “I get they need roadworks – but surely not all at the same time!”
He added: “Trying to return home from a trip to the city centre seemed like mission impossible at times. I was being diverted to a diversion and then diverted again.
“Thankfully I know the area well and was able to snake my way around the confusion. It certainly would have been a frustrating exercise for visitors and tourists unlucky enough to be on the road.
"We all understand the need for roadworks and repair work – perhaps some are essential – but can they not be scheduled slightly better?”
Perth and Kinross Council has apologised for any confusion caused.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns over the diversions in place over the weekend. One of the closures was an emergency closure, and as such it was not possible to avoid the diversion conflicting with each other. We do apologise for any confusion caused.
“When there are conflicting diversions in place, one set of signs will have a clear mark in place, such as a spot or square, to indicate which route should be followed.
“We appreciate these can be confusing to motorists and regularly monitor diversion routes to ensure they are as clear as possible and we will continue to do this while roadworks are under way in Perth.”
