Search for firm to fix bridge

Perth and Kinross Council has begun the search for a suitable contractor to repair a bridge over the River Braan which is currently closed to traffic.

A spokesperson for the local authority confirmed this week it is currently inviting companies to bid for work to repair Newton Bridge north of Trochry valued to be worth around £80,000.

The confirmation comes a little over a month after the PA reported the bridge closure and an associated traffic diversion forcing drivers to cross the river over Rumbling Bridge being discussed at a meeting of Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council.

Community councillor Andrew Cave previously described the diversion as being“far from ideal”while group secretary Helen Taylor said she had a concern officials had perhaps not taken into account the kind of heavy agricultural traffic that might end up having to take the detour over Rumbling Bridge.

According to the contract notice published last week the local authority expects to have hired a contractor to carry out the repairs required on Newton Bridge sometime between now and mid-June and the repairs to be completed by August 6.

PKC told the PA last month the present diversion over Rumbling Bridge will have to remain in place until Newton Bridge is fixed.

A spokesperson said at the time:“The Rumbling Bridge is structurally sound and able to take any standard vehicles including heavy goods vehicles, although the road alignment across the bridge does limit what can pass.

“In this regard, we have already carried out some improvements to the road at the bridge and advisory signs will be put in place as soon as possible at the end of the road to advise motorists.”