Jetskiers making wavesas petition launched
A Perth resident has set up an online petition asking the council to consider banning jet skis from the River Tay to spare city dwellers from the “diabolical” noise he claims they make when they pass by.
The man claims riverside residents are constantly disturbed by a small number of jet skiers who speed past their properties.
The resident, who does not wish to be identified, says working from home has become a nightmare.
He claims he has already complained to the council several times but has been told there is nothing staff can do to clamp down on the jet skiers’ antics.
“The noise they make is absolutely diabolical,” he said. “I have to shut my windows when I’m working.
“Even then I can still hear them. It’s wacky to let them do it in the middle of town.
“It’s driving everyone nuts. I’ve appealed to the council on four or five occasions but they just say there is nothing they can do because [the river] is a right of way.
“It’s just ridiculous. It can be a beautiful day and people want to be able to open their windows and along they come and spoil it.”
The man is also concerned the wash and spray coming from the jet skis is damaging habitat for animals living alongside the river.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson told the PA: “Personal watercraft (jet skis) have been used on the river for many years.
“The activity is legal as the Tay is tidal upstream to Almondmouth.
“The users access the water via the public slipway on Tay Street. It is not considered practical to ban it but we have sought to mitigate the impacts by assisting users in drawing up a voluntary code of conduct and promoting that through the PKC website.
“We are considering what further measures may be appropriate to promote responsible use and address irresponsible behaviour.
“Unfortunately, the council does not have jurisdiction under the Environmental Health Act 1990 to control noise associated with jet skis.
“We have recorded five complaints since 2010.
“Given the above and the transient nature of use of these watercrafts EH has been unable to take any formal action.”
Visit the petition at www.change.org/p/ communitygreenspace-pkcgov-uk-stop-or-limit-jet-skiactivity-in-perth-city-centre