Village crossing plan jumps up priority list
Council chiefs have confirmed a proposal to put a pedestrian crossing in a village has jumped to sixth place on a list of road safety schemes being progressed after just a single local raised a complaint.
The admission comes after Portmoak Community Council (PCC) made a point of noting its members were “surprised” to learn PKC was even considering putting a puffin crossing in Scotlandwell’s Main Street.
The group said in the minutes of its October meeting: “The CC had been surprised to learn from ward councillors of an intention to pursue a puffin crossing on Main Street, Scotlandwell. It had sought further information.
“The PKC project officer ... reported that in this case, the request for a puffin crossing in Scotlandwell came from a resident. The CC would be consulted at the first phase of the public consultation, along with the ward councillors, before any major project progressed (similar to TROs).
“There is no timescale for this work as, at present, PKC is focusing on delivering over many years.”
Asked to comment on the situation a PKC spokesperson initially suggested the Scotlandwell puffin crossing proposal actually sat far further down a list of road safety projects being looked at by officials.
But after the PA sought a clarification, the spokesperson admitted the proposal is now at sixth place on its list of specific requests for controlled crossings. The spokesperson added officials are currently considering a total of 60 requests for crossings.
The spokesperson went on: “The council receives requests on a daily basis for various road safety improvements across Perth and Kinross from all parts of the community, including local residents, community councils, local elected members and Police Scotland.
“As set out and approved by the environment and infrastructure committee in report number 19/83, each report is reviewed on a case by case basis, using the same priorities regardless of who the concern is raised by.
“It is also important to note that the timing and completion of each scheme of the list is subject to considerations such as the availability of resources, land availability, and utilities.”