Parking plan will break ring of steel

PERTH: Strategy would end years of misery for residents

A radical new parking strategy aims to smash a “ring of steel” around Perth city centre.

Pay-and-display machines could be installed in residential areas to dissuade commuters from leaving their cars outside private homes.

Perth and Kinross Council wants to create formal parking bays on more than 60 streets, to try and encourage better parking.

It follows years of complaints about vehicles blocking driveways and preventing residents from parking near their properties.

If problems persist, the local authority said pay-and-display parking could be introduced. Residents could apply for a free permit to ensure they were exempt from charges.

The wide-ranging scheme also has designs for public transport incentives and more parkand-ride sites.

Scotland’s heritage watchdog has said it will not stand in the way of the multimillion-pound Cross Tay Link Road, despite its “significant” impact on local landmarks, including parts of Scone Palace.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has assessed the effect of Perth and Kinross Council’s flagship construction scheme on surrounding monuments, buildings and gardens.

The £113 million project, which has yet to secure planning consent, aims to link up the A9 to the A93 and A94 north of Scone. It is hoped the new bridge will alleviate congestion in the city centre and reduce air pollution.

So far the plan has proved controversial, with opposition from around 50 groups and individuals including three community councils.

In its response to planners, HES said steps have been taken to soften the impact on local sites, but there will still be some significant impact.

However, the authority does not regard these as “of national significance”.

A spokesman said that the effect on grounds at Scone Palace would range in significance from “very slight to substantial”.

The new road would cut into an area known as the Highfield Plantation, where a “green bridge” is proposed for pedestrians and cyclists.

The road then continues over the A93, with a new roundabout at Stormontfield Road, then west through parkland at Bowman’s Fold where the road rises to cross the Tay.

A report submitted by HES to council planners states: “It is clear that the area of Bowman’s Fold will undergo substantial change as a result of the proposals.”

A spokesman for HES said: “We are satisfied that the proposal has taken cognisance of the historic environment and that the design has been informed and influenced by the historic assets in order to mitigate impacts.

“We accepted that these effects have been largely mitigated and, where such impacts remain significant, these do not raise issues of national significance.

“We can therefore confirm that we do not wish to object.”

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Bowman’s Fold will undergo substantial change