Work to fix damaged wall gets under way
Work to repair a damaged retaining wall “at risk of collapse” which supports the A85 as it passes MacRosty Park in Crieff got under way this week.
Roads maintenance firm BEAR Scotland confirmed a three-week project began on Monday, January 18, after the situation was assessed by engineers.
Temporary lights, restricting traffic to a single lane, and pedestrian safety measures have been in place since October last year.
The area has been on the Crieff Community Council radar since the measures were first put in place, with chair Harry Thomason raising the issue with the relevant authorities and highlighting concerns in relation to what was viewed as the project’s lack of progress.
Potential safety issues for pedestrians were also aired as a result of part of the footway being out of bounds for an extended period, particularly with it being in such close proximity to the park.
Both Perth and Kinross Council and Transport Scotland – the national transport agency – said responsibility for the project being carried out lay with BEAR Scotland.
And, when asked for an update on the situation earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Perth-based firm told the Herald: “Temporary traffic lights were erected for public safety in late October after it was noted part of the retaining wall that supports the A85 at MacRosty Park was heavily damaged and at risk of collapse.
“The lights ensured that traffic was being diverted away from the damaged section of wall, preventing any further loading on the structure.
“The footway was also closed for safety with a diversion in place for all pedestrians.
“Engineers completed structural investigations to assess the extent of the damage and designed a repair solution, with repair work getting under way from Monday this week.
“This work is expected to take up to three weeks to complete, after which the temporary lights will be removed and the A85 safely reopened to both lanes.”