Local engineering firm to carry out £150,000 river erosion work

A £150,000 scheme to fix crumbling riverbanks in Perth has been agreed by council bosses.

Severe erosion has been reported at spots along the River Almond, north of the city.

Residents said several large trees on the water’s edge were felled during winter storms, with fears that more will follow.

Perth and Kinross Council has now partnered up with local civil engineering firm Kilmac to sort out erosion in three spots behind Lawgrove Place.

Kilmac was one of 12 businesses which submitted tenders for the work.

A rock armour wall will be created to halt further weathering. Firms are being encouraged to submit tenders for the project.

A local authority spokesman said: “Perth and Kinross Council is seeking to address river bank erosion. Historical flows have eroded the bank in three locations.”

The work involves reinstatement and protection measures, as well as the repair of a pumping station outfall.

The council’s brief also calls for a footpath to be set back, reducing the risk of further damage.

A section of the footpath will be repaired, while another path which links Lawgrove Place with a cycle route will be upgraded.

The value of the contract is listed as just under £150,000.

If all goes to plan, work could begin before the end of the year and run for about six weeks.

Almondbank has experienced a history of flooding from the River Almond and East Pow Burn, with serious floods taking place in 1993, 1999 and 2011.

Balfour Beatty is currently constructing a series of flood defences along the river.