Fence will be a buffer
Network Rail has offered to build a new boundary fence between a yard behind Perth Railway Station and properties in Glover Street after controversially chopping down hundreds of trees there earlier this year.
Residents accused NR of treating them with contempt after deciding to cut down the trees, which acted as a natural buffer between the yard and their back gardens, despite a spirited campaign to save them.
Now NR has written to locals saying: “We are offering to replace the existing railway boundary fence at the rear of your property with a close boarded timber fence, at a height of 1.8 metres.
“This work will involve removing and disposing of the existing boundary fence before installing the new one.
“We plan to carry out as much of the work as possible from the railway side of the fence, to minimise disruption to you, but we will have to carry out some work within your property to complete the fence. We ask that you keep the area around the fence clear to allow us access to carry out the work. There will be no cost to you for the work.
“We understand you may not want your fence renewed. If this is the case we will not renew your fence, however as we have a legal obligation to secure our boundary we may install a secondary fence within our property to provide the necessary security if the existing fencing does not meet the required standard. We will inform you if this is the case and discuss the proposed work with you.”
Perth City South councillor Willie Wilson, who previously described NR’s decision to clear the trees as“dispiriting and disappointing”, said at least the proposed fence would offer residents some protection from noise coming from the yard.
Councillor Wilson commented:“I am glad that Network Rail has followed up their promise that they would provide a fence between the working yard and local gardens.
“Many residents felt that the removal of all of the trees was overkill and has left their properties exposed to the elements, noises and disturbance from a working rail yard.
“The fence, however, should help in creating bit more amenity for people’s private gardens and also keeping noise and to some degree light and dust pollution at bay.
“The removal of the trees was highly controversial with local people and was met by dismay due to the very brutal nature of the removal of trees, bushes and other vegetation.” Cllr Willie Wilson