Currently, on the return leg of its journey towards Dundee the number 5 bus usually runs along Nursery Road, Forthill Road and Fort Street down to Queen Street. While Queen Street has been dug up, traffic is restricted to running one way only towards Monifieth between Claypotts Road and Fort Street. As a result, the No 5 bus now turns right up Forthill Road, turns left onto Balgillo Road and heads back towards town. On Tuesday, passengers from Barnhill who wanted to get down to central Broughty Ferry were getting off the bus at Forthill Road and walking down the hill into The Ferry.
While this temporary diversion may be just inconvenient for many passengers, it can present an unwelcome and impossible challenge for those with restricted mobility who need to get down to The Ferry.
While these Barnhill residents recognised the need to dig up the roads for the relaying of the electricity cable, they did wonder why there was apparently no specific warning about this change from National Express Dundee and the City Council? One positive suggestion they proposed was to use the travel information screens at bus shelters to warn folk on this route about these changes before they get on the bus.
I have emailed the Transportation Department and to see whether they can improve the travel information on this route and to let the travelling public know how long they think this bus diversion will be necessary.