Traffic worriesat mosque

A bid to build a new mosque for Perth could be thwarted because of traffic concerns.

Perth Islamic Society has lodged a planning application to create a new place of worship on Jeanfield Road, but people are objecting because of the amount of extra traffic it may attract.

Currently Muslims meet at a Glasgow Road flat, but an increase in numbers - to around 600 across Perthshire - has prompted a need for larger, up-todate accommodation. The build would cost about £900,000 and is argued to be a solution to the community’s expansion over the next 50 to 60 years.

Objectors say they are not against the proposal for a traditional style mosque and community hall per se, but are concerned about the possible increase in cars.

The application plans include only 11 parking spaces for mosque users, on what is a route used by emergency vehicles heading for Perth Royal Infirmary.

They claim traffic is already “horrendous” with overspill from the hospital making the area dangerous.

Locals have complained to planning officials that there has been no traffic plan submitted with the application and problems with noise would arise from so many people converging for Friday prayers.

“With 50% car-sharing, that would mean there was an average of 600 trips at a very busy and dangerous T-junction at Rose Crescent, bringing the local road network to a standstill.”

“Jeanfield Road just cannot cope with that additional level of traffic ... vehicles will back up past the hospital entrance and also down to Riggs Road,” said objector Harry Campbell.