Road in poor state will be fixed at last

Aroad riddled with potholes near a Perthshire cemetery will finally be resurfaced, it has been revealed.

Funeral directors complained the poor state of the road made it “challenging” to manoeuvre hearses and family cars in a “dignified way”.

It also causes difficulties for grieving locals who wish to visit family and friends’ graves.

The issue was raised with Perth and Kinross Council by Councillor Grant Laing, a member of the environment and infrastructure committee, and John Swinney, who is seeking re-election for Perthshire North on Thursday’s election.

The local authority has since contacted them to confirm that the cemetery road will receive a full resurfacing.

Mr Laing said: “This news will be welcomed by families across Alyth and beyond.

“It is important that the cemetery is accessible to everyone, and these repairs will ensure that is the case.

“I am pleased that John Swinney and I have been able to secure the agreement of Perth and Kinross Council to fix the road, and I look forward to these repairs progressing quickly.”

Mr Swinney added: “I am delighted that Perth and Kinross Council have agreed to take swift action to address the state of this road.

“This was a matter of significant importance for local residents, many of whom were justifiably angry over the state of disrepair that the road had fallen into.”

Councillor Dennis Melloy of the Strathmore ward further welcomed the move.

He said: “The issue with the state of the road into

the Alyth cemetery has, unfortunately, been an ongoing one for many years, as other cemeteries within Perth and Kinross also required attention.

“Over those years I have asked several times for this road to be improved, before it gets much worse.

“I fear we are now at that stage.”

He added:

“I am

confident that this road will now receive the urgent attention it deserves very soon.”

Local funeral directors said the potholes’ “gradual deterioration” has made it difficult to access the cemetery.

Perth and Kinross Council has been contacted for comment on the resurfacing plans.

ACTION: The route near the cemetery is riddled with potholes. Picture by Kim Cessford.