Repair work to bridges to be delayed until link road is completed

VITAL repair work on two busy crossings over the River Tay will be delayed until 2024.

A start date to strengthen the Per th Bridge and Queen’s Bridge will be confirmed, but Perth and Kinross Council officers have recommended waiting until the Cross Tay Link Road is complete.

Structural assessments of both the Perth bridges revealed work is needed to maintain the busy links for years to come, although the local authority insists there is “no immediate risk to the public”.

Repairs have been broken down into two categories – main “above deck” strengthening works and less disruptive “below deck” repairs.

The above deck work is not expected to begin until the Cross Tay Link Road has been completed, which is expected to be in about five years’ time.

Council officers say one of their main considerations i s to ensure all possible measures are taken to minimise disruption to the city centre bridge users, while at the same time ensuring public safety.

The pair of landmark bridges were given an £850,000 check-up at the start of last year to identify upgrades needed.

Work is currently being undertaken on the Perth Bridge to finalise the installation of bollards to protect the “winged” footpaths.

At tomorrow’s meeting of the council’s environment and infrastructure committee, elected members will be asked to agree timings for the work.

The less disruptive work to the underside of the bridges will be carried out before the link road has been constructed.

Angus Forbes, convener of the environment and infrastructure committee, said: “We will closely monitor the condition of the bridges over t he coming years and if there is any significant changes, we’ll take immediate action.”