Kirriemuir Junction

The western roundabout and overbridge in the distance

Kirriemuir Junction lies on the Forfar bypass where the A926 crosses the dualled A90 bypass. The junction layout is of some interest. It is a form of dumbbell, but not the normal type. With a 'normal' dumbbell layout, the connecting route passes directly from one roundabout to the next, either over or under the main route. However, at Kirriemuir Junction, the connecting route makes a loop to the north to pass over the A90. This means that the sliproads loosely follow the old line of the A926 to meet the new dual carriageway, whilst the A926 itself undertakes a circuitous route involving a series of bends (partly facilitated by the roundabouts). Both of the roundabouts are small, with single circulatory lanes and also single approach and departure lanes. The sliproads are also tightly curved, forming a very compact layout.

The reasons behind this design are not currently clear, but a number of factors seem to be at play. It is possible that the underlying geology restricted the options on the site, and it is very similar to Glamis Junction with the A94 to the south. However, it also seems very likely that the vast majority of traffic was predicted to be moving between routes at the junction, rather than continuing on the A926 itself, so the sliproads were made the straight ahead route as this was considered more intuitive for drivers.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
A90	Aberdeen
A90	Edinburgh (M90), Perth, Dundee
A926	Forfar
A926	Kirriemuir