Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has raised concerns with the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, David Middleton, over their failure to properly communicate the closure of the A93 on their Traffic Scotland website.
Murdo has been contacted by a number of constituents concerned at the failure of Traffic Scotland to prominently display the A93 closure on their “live incidents” feed.
The A93 was closed on Monday the 12th January, at around 2.30 pm, through the closure of snow gates at the Spittal of Glenshee and Braemar.
However, on the main Traffic Scotland home page, where there is a prominent display of ‘Live Traffic Information’ there was no mention of the A93 closure, nor has there been over the past 2 days. It is, however, included on the “current incidents” section.
Additionally, neither the BBC Scotland News, nor the relevant section of the BBC website (i.e. the Tayside & Central Traffic News) made any mention of the A93 closure.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said;
“Several residents in the east of Perthshire have been in touch to bemoan the lack of information from Transport Scotland over the closure of the A93 at the Spittal of Glenshee.
“The A93 is a vital transport artery through the east of Perthshire and I have called on Transport Scotland to communicate its closure better in the future.
“Residents are quite rightly unhappy at poor communication from Transport Scotland particularly considering the use of this route to travel to the Glenshee ski centre.”
Commenting Blairgowrie and the Glens Councillor, Caroline Shiers said;
" A huge amount of work has been going on since last winter to improve communications between the Council and Police Scotland, along with local businesses and the Ski Centre to ensure that as much information as possible is available to the public about the conditions on the A93 in winter months.
“It is really important that clear messages are put out on national websites and social media to ensure people trying to access Glenshee know what the road conditions are. I would really welcome any improvements that Transport Scotland can make to ensure the national media put out correct information to help with these local efforts."