Flooding halts exhibition and damages bridge
COP26 event is a washout after downpours
Rising flood water forced the closure of a climate change exhibition as downpours washed away a bridge parapet and shut roads across Perthshire.
Heavy rain in Alyth halted an event for the Cateran Ecomuseum - the day after local MSP John Swinney had cut the opening ribbon on a new eco timeline exhibition in the town’s main street.
Torrential rain led to water racing along the street past the COP26 Turning Points exhibition, a 50m timeline errected on a fence charting 20,000 years of climate change in this part of Scotland.
They shared the news and a picture of the flood water on their Facebook page saying: “The irony!”.
The ‘ museum without walls’ had been planning a second COP26 event on Monday at the Spittal of Glenshee - but the road there from Blairgowrie was closed.
John Swinney tweeted his disappointment the extreme weather had put a stop to this.
Elsewhere near Blairgowrie there was a dramatic moment when a family in a car got stranded on the Bridge of Cally, as three foot of water flooded onto the enclosed stone parapet, leading to one side collapsing into the pounding river.
The passengers got out unharmed but the car remained and was towed away on Monday.
Structural engineers were on site yesterday.
Blairgowrie, Rattray and the Glens ward Cllr Tom McEwan told the PA that following the parapet collapse, the road is closed but hopes are it will be opened some time on Tuesday after a concrete barrier is bolted together and put in place.
Only single-file traffic will be going over with no lorries permitted as it won’t be wide enough. Traffic lights will control vehicles.
He added that the rest of the parapet is unstable may need to be removed before it falls.
The Provost of Perth and Kinross, Dennis Melloy accompanied Councillor Bob Brawn on a visit to see the damage yesterday.
Cllr Brawn lives nearby and lost the phone line at the Bridge of Cally Post Office where he and his wife run the business.
He described Sunday’s downpour as “the worst rain ever.”
Cllr Brawn added: “In the almost 20 years that I have lived here, this is the worse flooding I’ve seen at Bridge of Cally. From what I understand, the heavy rain brought down debris which blocked the vents and caused the water level on the bridge to rise well up the sides of the parapets.”
The danger on the bridge led to the A93 road being closed from the crossing preventing access to Blairgowrie.
The road closures also meant that school transport was affected on Monday and the decision was taken to temporarily close Kirkmichael Primary School as a result.
Kirkmichael PS serves the communities of Kirkmichael, Glenshee, Bridge of Cally,
Blacklunans and Straloch.
On Sunday the local authority said Stagecoach’s 71 service was only in operation between Bridge of Cally and Blairgowrie.
Other local roads affected during Sunday’s adverse weather included the C423 at Aberbothrie, the A926 Alyth to Blairgowrie road, the A924 between Edradour and Bridge of Cally and the U94 at Drimmie, with motorists advised to check in advance before setting off.
Conservative councillor for Blairgowrie, Rattray and the Glens, Caroline Shiers said: “The A93 is an important road as without it communities in Strathardle and Glenshee face very lengthy detours, or to use other roads which are not suitable and prone to being affected by bad weather too.”
She added: “On a related note, I was aware of just how much community spirit was on show on Sunday as neighbours went out to assist those who experienced issues as a result of the heavy rain.
“That is always ver y encouraging to see.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ( SFRS) spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 2.40pm on Sunday, October 31 to reports of flooding affecting a number of properties in the Rattray area.
“We were also alerted to reports of flooding affecting a number of properties at Main Road, Blairgowrie.
“Operations Control mobilised one fire appliance and firefighters assisted partners by diverting flood water and making the area safe before leaving the scene.”
Perthshire North MSP, John Swinney, has written to Perth and Kinross Council for information on the steps being taken to address flooding issues over the weekend.
“I am greatly concerned by the very significant impact of flooding in the East Perthshire area, and in particular the collapse of a bridge parapet at Bridge of Cally.
“This was a deeply worrying incident and, combined with road closures as a result of heavy rainfall, has made it very difficult for the public to access Strathardle and Glenshee.
“Accordingly, I have written to Perth and Kinross Council to seek clarity over what actions are being taken to address this flood damage, and to emphasise the need to undertake repairs as quickly as it is safe to do so.”
MP for Perth and North Perthshire Pete Wishart t said: “I share the public’s deep concern by the severe floods that took place in Blairgowrie and East Perthshire over the weekend. With weather warnings issued across Tayside on Sunday, there has been significant disruption and unrest in the area.
“I am in contact with other local authorities to ensure that all necessary actions are being taken to deal with the damages as quickly as possible.
Additionally, the snow gates at the Spittal of Glenshee on the A93 were closed to control traffic flow in the area but had reopened by Monday morning.
At Kirkmichael artist Gillian Hunt was shocked to see the view from her new home as she and her photographer husband Dave spent their first weekend in their new home near the river.
Gill took a shot of the water up to the top of the bridge arches and said “People here are saying it is the worst they have ever seen it.”