Riverside venture meeting is this week

Local residents are reminded that the newly-established Riverside Venture group is holding a public meeting on Thursday this week looking at ways to revitalise the Riverside area of Blairgowrie.

Those behind the group are keen to encourage more people to get involved with the proposals.

The meeting will take place in Blairgowrie Town Hall on Thursday, March 23, at 7pm.

Brian Smith, a community councillor in Blairgowrie and Rattray, is involved in the new group.

He explained: “We want to see the area’s potential released for locals and visitors by improving the area visually, introducing information for the public and turning the whole riverside into an informative and entertaining leisure area.

“We want to create an attractive and visually entertaining walk up and down the accessible parts of the River Ericht and we want the local community to get involved.”

The venture would be split into phases, with the first stage involving work around the Oakbank Road and Riverside car park areas, such as clearing vegetation along the riverbank, improving access for wheelchairs and pushchairs and perhaps creating a stepped banking area that could be used as an outdoor theatre space.

The second phase of the project could include the area up to Lornty Bridge and introducing information signs and clearing vegetation around the ruins to make them more visible.

Other suggestions for additional phases of the venture include creating additional paths and installing lighting to encourage walks in the evening, creating wildlife corridors and connecting the Hill Kirk with the Riverside area.

Mr Smith said: “The more volunteers we have involved, the quicker it will be done and everyone will benefit.

“We’re hoping that this won’t cost much except people’s time.

“Anything that has been suggested is not beyond the realms of possibility for a small group of willing volunteers to achieve.”