Event boss defends controversial road closures

Festival organisers have defended a swathe of road closures across Perth during the Biggest Weekend.

An extensive traffic management plan for the area around Scone Palace and in the city centre had been described as overkill by residents and business owners, with some staying closed today due to an anticipated lack of customers.

But event manager Colin Rodger insisted the restrictions, accompanied by a shuttle bus service from the city centre, which still leaves a 20-minute walk to access the arena from the dropoff point, are necessary to prevent chaos at the end of the event.

“When Scone Palace or the racecourse hosts other events there are fewer people and they’re often coming and going at different times,” he said.

“On Saturday night there will be 20,000 people all trying to get back to the city centre from here at once, that is the scale of the operation.

“The council has invested significantly in trying to do that with as little disruption as possible.

“I have been at events all over the country, including some of the most challenging events and I can honestly say the council has been fantastic in trying to ensure it all runs smoothly.”

Others were less convinced and still had serious concerns about the impact of the traffic management plan.

In George Street, courier firm Pharos Parcel has announced it won’t open today. A sign in the window directs any complaints to the council’s traffic management team.

A fundraising event for the Perth and District branch of Guide Dogs at Guildtown Village Hall, planned for tomorrow, has been cancelled.

Angry taxi operators say they have been given no pick-up and drop-off points at the site, leaving many people who have pre-booked services high and dry.

Taxi driver Eddie Wright, who has three decades of experience in Perth and Kinross, said: “The council in its wisdom has decided to ban all taxis and private hires from having a drop-off point and pick-up point on site.

“Rewind has been held there for over five years, with no traffic problems or safety issues.”

There is an extensive traffic management plan for the area around Scone Palace.