New bridges over troubled waters
Public vote favours two structures, not three
Alyth is to get two new replacement footbridges over the burn that runs through the centre of the town following a controversial vote.
The latest stage of the consultation process saw 390 votes cast, 52% of which were for two bridges with 48% in favour of an alternative option which would have seen three of the structures installed.
The current bridges were damaged beyond repair during flooding in the town in July 2015 and are to be replaced as part of Alyth’s town centre regeneration work.
A community survey carried out in January indicated that 52% of the community wanted three replacement footbridges, while 44% voted for two.
However, the issue was then put to a vote by the local authority after investigations by engineers and planning officers revealed that building a middle footbridge between Barrel Wynd and Alyth Museum would result in the loss of up to four parking spaces on Commercial Street.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said that the loss of the parking spaces was the result of the new bridges “having to be designed at a higher level to allow for better water flow, resulting in the access steps taking up more space on the pavement”.
Alyth Community Council said of the vote at the group’s most recent meeting: “It’s disappointing that more people haven’t engaged with the consultation process - which was publicised in the community newsletter, local press, on social media and in posters throughout the town - and voted, but now that the process has finished we just have to get on with it.”
Council leader Ian Miller – who is also an elected member for the Strathmore ward – said: “Although I am slightly surprised at the outcome of the public consultation we must accept the majority view and move on with the installation of the bridges.
“The result also means that we will be able to retain the four parking spaces that would have been lost if a third bridge had been installed. I’m sure that this will be welcomed by business and residents in Commercial Street.
“The necessary tender documents for the bridges have already been issued and it is hoped to award the contract by October.
“Local residents have been keen to ensure that the works do not interfere with the Christmas lights display and, with this in mind, the diversion of public utilities will commence around mid-January.
“This will be followed by the construction of the bridge abutments with the work due to be complete in March.
“I look forward to seeing the bridges back in place as they are an integral part of Alyth.
“Their completion, along with the re-opening of the road bridge north of Alyth at Bleaton Hallet, will see most of the infrastructure that was lost in the floods restored.”
Conservative Strathmore councillor, Dennis Melloy, added: “The result of the vote came as a big surprise to me given the depth of feeling I was hearing from the residents in Alyth on this issue.
“Since February I have been pushing for a full consultation process for the people of Alyth to have their say on whether they wanted two or three bridges replaced. Well, we have now had that consultation and the people of Alyth have spoken by a margin of only 18.
“I can only say to those who didn’t vote and wanted three bridges, you have missed your opportunity and you will now have to accept the decision of the majority.”
The result of the vote came as a big surprise to me given the depth of feeling