New project on A85 is postponed

Upgrades to the tune of £30,000 on the A85 west of Comrie which were set to begin yesterday have been postponed.

The planned project involved teams upgrading the existing drainage system as well as replacing a culvert just outside the Shaky Village.

The work was scheduled to take place across two days and two nights and was expected to be completed by 6am on Friday, March 25, subject to weather conditions.

A single lane closure with temporary traffic lights was to be in place between 7am and 7pm on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22.

A full road closure with signed diversions was also planned for between 8pm and 6am from Wednesday, March 23 to Friday, March 25.

Traffic was to be diverted via the A85 to Lochearnhead, A84 to Doune, A820 to Stockbridge, A9 to Auchterarder, A823 and A822 to Crieff and A85 to Comrie.

Local access for residents and scheduled bus services was to be maintained.

BEAR Scotland said consultation had been carried out with emergency services and “relevant stakeholders” to make them aware of the works.

However, on Friday a BEAR Scotland spokesperson confirmed that the project was postponed due to “operational reasons” and would be taking place at a later date.

They said: “Please be advised that drainage improvements planned for the A85 west of Comrie have been postponed for operational reasons.

“The project was due to get underway on Monday, March 21 and was programme to take place across two days and two nights; however, works will now be programmed to take place at a later date. The planned traffic management will no longer be required from Monday, March 21 with A85 west of Comrie remaining fully open.

“All relevant stakeholders have been informed of the postponement of these works and will be updated further once new dates have been confirmed.”

Information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or via the mobile site my.trafficscotland.org