Council backs down over road closure Furious villagers win fight
Aberfeldy has been granted a reprieve from a controversial road closure plan.
Business owners had been seething for the last fortnight at a proposal by Perth and Kinross Council to close the main road to Aberfeldy from the A9 corridor.
But PKC has now said the A827 closure at Cultullich bridge will not happen this year.
Executive director of housing and environment Barbara Renton wrote to the three Highland ward councillors earlier this week, accepting that the full road closure option “is not a workable one with the local community”.
She added: “Officers have been investigating different solutions to ensure that there is a single carriageway open while the works are undertaken.
“The team is now not optimistic that we will be able to carry out this work during 2018.
“We will not be able to undertake the work until the same period next year.”
Aberfeldy Community Council chair Victor Clements told the PA: “We are delighted. I can’t believe the council thought that they could close the A827 without a fight.
“This has all become very political. There has obviously been some issues in the mix.
“With the by-election, I think Mike Williamson, Xander McDade and Henry Murdoch the council knew the works were needed but was afraid to mention it in case the issue upset the result, hence the lastminute consultation.
“Well done the local business voices who dared to put their heads above the parapet. They deserve credit.
“The people won the argument and have made the council look very incompetent.”
The issue is set to be debated at a meeting of the full council next week after a motion was put forward by councillors Mike Williamson (SNP) and Xander McDade (Independent).
Cllr Williamson said: “The council had planned to press ahead with closing this vital road for up to seven weeks – something which I have argued is totally unacceptable.
“I have spoken to a number of businesses who are sick fedup of this administration not listening to them.”
The motion, now to be discussed at the full council meeting on June 20 that decides the capital budget, called for funding to be found to create a temporary metal bridge to avoid total closure of the route.
Newly-elected Conservative councillor John Duff said the will of the people had prevailed: “Following my discussions with the council, I am pleased to say that the significant economic impact of a full road closure over such a prolonged period of time has been recognised.”
Meeting locals at the site of the proposed postponed roadworks yesterday, Cllr McDade said: “It’s safe to say the community is very pleased.
“There has been understandable concern about the effect this would have on what is already a fragile economy in Aberfeldy and across Highland Perthshire.”
Well done the local business voices who dared to put their heads above the parapet