Perth and Dundee Finally Agree on Something: The A90 Roadworks Are Entirely the Other City’s Fault

By Ewan Hay, Cross-Border Affairs Correspondent

INCHTURE — After almost four weeks of resurfacing works, contraflows and overnight convoys on the A90 between Perth and Dundee, the two cities have reached their first formal agreement since records began: it is all the other lot’s fault.

THE VIEW FROM PERTH: “Every morning, there they are,” said a Perth commuter, gripping the wheel of a sensible estate car. “Dundonians. In the contraflow. Coming towards us. Eating a pie at 7.40am like that’s normal. You can’t resurface a road properly with that sort of energy on it.”

Perth drivers say the problem began the moment the road “started heading towards Dundee”. One Scone resident explained: “Leaving Perth, the A90 is a calm, civilised road. By Longforgan it’s going ‘eh?’ at you. That’s not tarmac. That’s attitude.”

THE VIEW FROM DUNDEE: Across the cones, Dundee drivers were unimpressed. “Perth folk drive like they’ve got an appointment wi’ a solicitor,” said a Lochee man. “They indicate for the contraflow two miles early. They slow down to look at the Carse. It’s a field, pal. It’s always been a field.”

Dundonians maintain the roadworks only exist “because Perth wanted a smoother road to come and use our V&A and then go home saying it was ‘interesting’.”

THE CONES: Caught in the middle are an estimated 4,000 traffic cones, which have reportedly formed their own community near the Inchture slip road, unavailable to both cities during the contraflow. “We are neutral,” said a spokescone. “Like Switzerland. But orange.”

The works are due to finish on 24 October. Both cities have welcomed the news and immediately blamed each other for it taking so long.

The real story: Real: A90 southbound resurfacing between Inchture and Rait, 30 Sep–24 Oct 2026, with a 24/7 contraflow (The Courier / Amey)