Relief as street plan ditched

A MOVE to turn a bus parking bay on Perth’s George Street into a public space has been abandoned.

Pe r t h a n d K i n ro s s Council had i ntended installing a parklet – an extension of the pavement which can be furnished with greenery or a bench – in a pilot scheme, but has now been forced to shelve the plan.

The local authority hoped the measure might help draw more shoppers to the area. However, several businesses opposed the plan.

Diane Brown, owner of delicatessen Provender Brown, said she was relieved to learn the move had been ditched.

Andrew Pennycook, of James McEwan Funeral Directors in George Street, said “common sense” had prevailed, although he questioned the wisdom of installing another parklet on nearby Mill Street.

“The plan was l udicrous,” he said. “Surely no one would want to sit outside on George Street. Our office i s nearby and it wouldn’t be ideal having people sitting on a bench outside a funeral directors’ business.”

He added: “At the first meeting, it was suggested the council should canvas opinion on the plan with residents but this was dismissed.”

The council told businesses the plan had been devised to try to increase visitor numbers.

A council spokesman said it had noted the mixed response to the proposal and would be looking at other measures which might win favour.

Diane Brown