Questions arise over CTLR route
Council taken to task
A community group has questioned Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to route a brand new multi-million pound road through the middle of a planned housing development.
Scone and District Community Council (SDCC) has also raised concerns about the local authority’s apparent unwillingness to consider moving the proposed starting point for the Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR) further north along the A94.
It wants road department bosses to shift the start of the CTLR further towards Perth Airport so it avoids passing through the northernmost parts of A&J Stephen’s planned Scone North development – where it reckons a new primary school could be constructed.
However the group claims representatives who recommended the council reconsider the route as well as insist on a 30mph speed limit on a section planned to pass through Highfield Plantation out of concern for pedestrians were given short shrift by officials during a recent consultation event.
Members also believe the council failed to ask them for their views on the proposed route during an earlier consultation so other suggestions they have since put forward such as planting trees or hedges along the road to cut noise and pollution reaching pedestrians have not been properly considered.
But a PKC spokesperson has since claimed SDCC were “fully consulted” on the proposed route along with “the wider community, statutory bodies and user groups” and insisted it would be “unlikely” Police Scotland would “support a reduced speed limit” anywhere on the new road. An artist’s impression of what the Cross Tay Link Road will look like
An SDCC spokesperson told the PA: “We asked for consideration that the route be moved northwards because at present it cuts through a much used wood. It also goes right through the middle of the new planned development at H29. In particular it runs alongside the area planned for the new school.
“We stressed the safety, noise and air pollution issues of a feeder road in the middle of a pedestrian residential area, particularly beside a school. We asked for it to be moved north away from the residential area [but] were told the route is ‘fixed’.
“Our councillors did a walk/cycle to work in June on Clean Air Day – did they mean it or was it just tokenism?
“Here is a chance to make a real difference to our health and well-being and take a major traffic route away from a residential area.”
The spokesperson added: “We asked about reducing the speed to 30mph on the stretch through Highfield [Plantation] for the safety of those using the woods with children and animals and those walking or cycling.
“This was rejected as we were told the
police decided they could not enforce a 30mph speed. We think this is ridiculous considering the speed limit between Scone and Perth is 40mph and 30mph and there have still been two deaths.”
But a PKC spokesperson said: “The chosen route has been determined through a lengthy appraisal and selection process following government guidance. SDCC has been fully consulted on the proposals, as has the wider community, statutory bodies and user groups.
“Four consultation events for local communities were held in May and June of this year and were attended by over 400 people.”
The spokesperson went on: “With regard to the request for trees to be planted adjacent to the road, this was rejected due to road safety issues they would present by lining a 50mph road.”
Responding to SDCC’s specific complaint about the 30mph limit not being considered the spokesperson added: “It is unlikely Police Scotland would support a reduced speed limit as it would not be in accordance with current guidelines.”