The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bridges mark Alyth’s recovery from devastating deluge of 2015
Final touches will be applied to two new bridges tomorrow or early next week
It is a day that will live in the memory of the people of Alyth – a massive surge of water swept through the town leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Among the victims of the “once-in200-year” flooding were two footbridges destroyed by the deluge of July 2015.
The final touches will be made in the next few days to the replacement bridges symbolising the final recovery for the Perthshire community that suffered considerable hardship as a result of the floods.
Businesses have recovered and people returned to their homes and the completion of the footbridges is an important milestone for the community.
Fittingly, it was Alyth citizen of the year Marie MacDonald who officially marked the event yesterday.
Representing the local community she was joined by representatives from the council and the contractors involved with the project, NRS Group.
Dependent on weather conditions, the final works to apply the anti-skid coating to the ramps, steps and landings are to take place, with the bridges open to the public tomorrow or early next week.
Further follow-up work to the bridge decks has also been planned to take place in May.
Barbara Renton, director of the council’s environment service, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners and contractors for coming together to provide Alyth with their new replacement bridges and also to the local community for their patience while these works were being carried out.”
Gearoid Reidy, NRS Group site manager, said: “NRS are delighted to have been involved with this project to restore vital links for the community.”
The council undertook an extensive community consultation regarding the replacement of the bridges and funding was approved for two bridges.
In order to avoid disruption to parking during the festive period, work started on the bridges in early January.
After construction of the foundations, both footbridges were successfully lifted into place at the end last month.
The floods of July 2015 were described as a “once-in-200year” event.