CTLRgetsmysupport

It’s clear that in my capacity as convener of the environment and infrastructure committee I would support the Cross Tay Link Road and the economic benefits it brings to Perth - if Perth benefits then the whole of Perth and Kinross benefits.

However, there has always been concern in villages across the high Carse area that this could bring an increase in traffic and these concerns increased as the vote came closer.

As a ward member it was important for me to respond to these concerns and, as promised, I have again met with council officers from traffic planning and road safety. At these meetings I was given certain assurances that satisfy my concerns and hopefully those of my constituents.

The council has agreed to assess the roads in that area for an extension of the 40mph walking and cycling routes which will be well in advance of the opening of the CTLR.

Part of the work in making a route walking and cycling friendly is installing traffic counters which will give the council information on traffic volumes and speeds before and after the CTLR opens. This will allow the council to install any mitigation measures based on evidence.

Planning officers also agreed to make this part of the planning condition which provides assurance that years down the line, this will definitely happen.

Additionally, they reassured me that sufficient signage will be in place on the A94 directing Dundee-bound traffic away from the north side of the Carse of Gowrie.

The other issue that has come out in the presentations we have all had is that the council has an obligation to provide land for housing. This land is identified to the west of Perth and relies on the CTLR. If we can’t provide that land, the housing demand still exists and we will need to provide land someplace else.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the Carse of Gowrie would be a likely place for that house building to take place given its proximity to Dundee.

That is another concern for me and I would say to my Carse of Gowrie colleagues to think carefully about this before they vote.

I am therefore satisfied with the answers I have received and will be supporting the CTLR.

Angus Forbes

Councillor for Carse of Gowrie