Progress on school run problem

Concerned parents facing an 18-week road closure which will hit the school run say they are hopeful of finding a suitable solution.

Mums and dads in the Almondbank and Lochty areas expressed concern that their journeys to and from Pitcairn Primary will have around 20 minutes added to it because of the closure of Main Road which links to the A85.

In Tuesday’s PA we highlighted parents’ efforts to seek a solution, including plans to drop off children at the school earlier.

At a parent council meeting on Wednesday night representatives of Perth and Kinross Council and contractor Balfour Beatty, which is working on the £15m flood prevention measures, discussed the options. The PA understands that the construction group has offered support to the parents, and that three options for an out of school group have emerged, including bringing in outside support or looking to parents to lead it.

A spokesperson for the parents said: “Our meeting on Wednesday was very helpful with our problem.

“It was good to have the offer of assistance from Balfour Beatty and we will look at that in the range of options. It was very positive.”

Parents of children at Pitcairn Primary are to be asked for their views on the range of the proposals which were discussed.

The main route into the community - the C407 is due to be closed from Thursday, March 30 , to allow construction of the next phase of the flood scheme.