Perthshire Advertiser

Cost concerns over bridge repairs delay

Delay sparks questions

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A Perth City Centre councillor has questioned delays to“significan­t essential repairs”to Perth Bridge and Queen’s Bridge.

Last week councillor­s noted PKC officers’ decision to delay “above deck” strengthen­ing works on the Perth city centre bridges until after the opening of the Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR).

It was said delaying the works until then avoids potential gridlock in the city centre but council officers asked councillor­s to note the safeguard works may be brought forward should conditions on either or both bridges deteriorat­e.

The issue was discussed at last week’s environmen­t and infrastruc­ture committee meeting with Conservati­ve councillor for Perth City Centre Chris Ahern questionin­g whether the bridges would last until April 2024 when the CTLR is due for completion.

A council officer told him the bridges would still be subject to regular inspection­s and they would liaise with the public well in advance.

Fellow city centre councillor Andrew Parrott (SNP) said: “I am delighted to see this report for noting. It’s always better to be aware of what might have to happen.”

But Lib Dem Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett, who does not sit on the committee, is concerned about any delays.

He told the PA this week: “There are extensive works required to the Queen’s Bridge which include replacing the footway planks, waterproof­ing of the whole bridge deck, significan­t concrete repairs throughout, and drainage works across the whole bridge. “These works will not come cheap.” Cllr Barrett added: “I fully understand both the desire to minimise the traffic congestion that will undoubtedl­y arise and to avoid gridlock in the city centre.

But at the moment there is nothing in the report to quantify how much a delay

Members need to know what putting the job off is going to cost Cllr Peter Barrett

of at least three years is going to cost.

“It seems astounding that the financial impact assessment says absolutely nothing on this subject.

“The cost of borrowing was hiked only last month with a one per cent jump in the public works loan board rate.

“Members need to know what putting the job off is going to cost.

“I don’t want them to come to the wrong decision because it’s been taken in the dark.”

Cllr Barrett has written to the director of environmen­t service requesting full and accurate cost informatio­n.

A spokespers­on for Perth and Kinross Council said it will respond directly to Cllr Barrett in due course.

 ??  ?? Concerns Cllr Peter Barrett
Concerns Cllr Peter Barrett

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