Residents not notified about traffic lights outside homes

Signals move was a planning condition

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Perth and Kinross Council did not notify residents whose driveways are set to be in the middle of a permanent set of traffic lights in Kinross.

Traffic lights are to be installed at The Muirs/Lethangie Road junction next to the Loch Leven Community Campus.

It was a planning condition imposed as part of Persimmon's Lathro Farm development but residents on The Muirs were not included on PKC’s neighbour notification list for the planning application.

PKC and Persimmon Homes have insisted there was a “full community consultation” process. However when PKC highlighted its neighbour notification list for the plans, the Local Democracy Reporting Service discovered residents on The Muirs were not included.

Three houses will be directly affected with the traffic lights being installed either in front of or on either side of their driveways.

Joe and Lynne Gallagher live in one of those houses and feel “ignored”.

They added: “We strongly oppose the installation outside our house and driveway. We believe it poses a significant safety concern due to the lack of clarity around right of way at the junction. Beyond our personal safety, the traffic lights would disrupt the flow of traffic through a key route all year long - just to manage short spikes during school term start and end times.”

Their neighbour - also affected - said he was “totally disgusted at the whole process”.

The residents received a letter - dated June 27 - from Persimmon Homes along with copies of the plans which said: “The Planning Department have asked that we consult you of these upcoming works.”

They were invited to submit any questions to Persimmon by July 11 but Persimmon declined an invitation to meet with the affected residents.

Kinross-shire councillor Willie Robertson is shocked.