Fears shops and tourist attractions could shut if road is closed.

Shopkeepers reliant on summer trading say closure of A827 near Aberfeldy could put them out of business

Highland Perthshire shops and tourist attractions fear they will be put out of business if a proposed road closure gets the go-ahead.

Part of the busy A827 near Aberfeldy will be out of action for seven weeks from the end of August, to allow repairs to the Cultullich crossing.

Worried local business owners say their takings will suffer an unaffordable hit if tourists are cut off from the town at the height of summer.

Perth and Kinross Council insists the work must be carried out at this time due to SEPA restrictions, caused by salmon spawning season and the presence of otters in the Cultullich burn.

Last week council leader Murray Lyle said officers are looking for ways to keep the road open but Aberfeldy residents remain worried.

Avril Taylor, owner of Wishing Well card and gift shop and secretary of Aberfeldy Small Business Association, said: “We are still seriously concerned.

“If the closure does go ahead there will be businesses that just won’t survive.

“The English tourist season is August and September so it is a crucial time of year for us.

“Some business owners are saying if it happens they may as well close now.”

The seven-week closure could compound an already difficult 2018 for the businesses, who lost out on tourist trade at the start of the year due to bad weather and are suffering since RBS closed its Aberfeldy branch last week.

“We are a remote community and we just lost the bank too. It seems like we are losing more and more and are expected to survive with less. It’s hard to stay upbeat at the moment,” Avril added.

The bridge has been shored up temporarily, following a landslip four years ago, but engineers believe a longterm solution is needed to avoid a catastrophic collapse.

The embankment also carries the main BT fibre optic cable which provides internet services for the Aberfeldy and Kenmore areas.

The work will involve excavation of about 16 feet, as well as the construction of a new concrete retaining wall and restoration of parts of the bridge.

Marion Murdoch, manager of Watermill bookshop and café, also owns the Courtyard delicatessen in Kenmore with her husband, Henry.

She warned that there will be uproar in the community if no way to keep the road open is found.

“This will put people out of business, there’s no doubt about it,” she said.

“Some of the businesses here don’t make any money in January and February so they rely on the tourist season to make up the difference. Without that they won’t be able to keep going.

“The local people just won’t put up with it, it’s a non-starter.”

Donald Riddell, director of Highland Safaris, said: “The impact will be huge if this goes ahead. August to October is really busy. October is often busier than August. We have coach tours with international visitors and there just isn’t an alternative for vehicles of that size.If they’re not visiting us they’re also not visiting the hotels and restaurants so the knock on effect will be huge.”

It is thought the issue will be debated at a full meeting of the council on Wednesday June 20, if a solution is not found before then.

some business owners are saying if the road closure happens they may as well close now

Perth and Kinross Council leader Murray Lyle.