The west end rat run was in high demand as many drivers turned down Sandown Farm Lane. No doubt the country roads would have been even busier than usual. At the Sandown crossroads around 18.00 this evening a line of cars could be seen stretching back to the Delnies bend and beyond. These are obviously exceptional circumstances but these queues demonstrate just how much traffic does pass through Nairn and how the slightest upset can cause major problems. Meanwhile here's Traffic Scotland's take on the situation as posted on their twitter account.
UPDATE: one of our regular readers reports taking 1 hour 45 minutes to reach Broadhill from Inverness
@JonnyGeddie - Hello, we are hearing it's tt lights for emergency gas repair works near Bridge St, Nairn, & will remain on til tomorrow.
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 29, 2014
11 comments:
Was there any diversions in place East and West of Nairn to avoid the gridlock? As we are all aware there are some frustrated and impatient drivers who can be a danger to themselves, other road users and even innocent pedestrians.
Don't know Hazel, one of our regular readers reports 1 hour 45 minutes to reach Broadhill from Inverness and similar times to be seen on twitter tonight
Dear Gurn,
Your headline banner does not reflect the true impact of the temporary works at the junction of Maggot Road. My journey home to Nairn from Elgin tonight was not unusual until I reached the Auldearn junction and I could see the trail of headlights towards the Sainsbury Store. I ended up spending 35 minutes in the stop-go queue. When I passed the works site to my surprise and amazement there was nobody working or manning the temporary traffic signals. Whilst this highlights the need and benefit of a Bypass for Nairn I want to concentrate my 'gurn' on the apparent disregard for road users. What, if any, efforts were made to inform the travelling public: radio; variable message signs (oh no there are none heading westbound); temporary signs at Auldearn or Delnies? The A96 within the speed limits of Nairn is classed as 'traffic sensitive' so why has this situation been allowed to happen. We do not want excuses - some urgent action including overnight working!
I don't want to put the fear of God into everyone but 'Roadworks Scotland' website (http://www.roadworksscotland.org/mapsearch.aspx) contains the following information about the works in question (it's the dates that frighten me)
Reference: SG021-W110770988 (1665970)
Location: O/s Bridgemill Direct
Address: Bridge Street, Nairn
Promoter: Scotland Gas Networks
Telephone: 0845 0701432, customerservicescotland@scotiagasnetworks.co.uk
Dates : 28/01/2014 - 10/02/2014
Good pictures from the Gurn as normal. The frustration of drivers must have been awful, as they try to get home from work at their usual time. Working overnight does not seem to be in the plan these days, and the poor motorist has to undergo this shambles (tomorrow as well). The Cawdor Road rat run was also in full use tonight and it will not be long until a severe head on accident occurs here with fatal consequences for somebody. Even without the current road works this road is terrible with speeders after 5pm.
I was channel hopping through the radio stations trying to find out what the hold up was. I didn't hear it mentioned once or had any programme interrupted by the Traffic Announcement service at any point in my snails pace crawl through the town. Does anyone know how the emergency services would have been affected or able to get to an emergency within their time limits in today's bedlam?
These will kill Sainsbury's business, folk will be flocking back to the co-opie
Great for tourism
What a bunch of Motor Moaners there is worse things in the world just think about the poor children in Syria etc etc as you sit in your air conditioned, leather seated,vehicles, get a life!!!
It was reported on Radio Scotland, I heard it too late as I sat in the queue
Not looking forward to the morning
True! Top Gear re children in Syria which is of greater importance, but to many a person travelling that were held up in the fiasco, this too has an importance to them, and if the attitude ur suggesting was used in all situations for life then what would improve in the daily running of things?
Post a Comment