Council chief faces scepticism that crossing is still necessary

Claims that the new crossing will help unlock £1 billion of investment have been questioned by Carse of Gowrie Labour councillor Alisdair Bailey.

He said the figure, quoted by council leader Murray Lyle as a main argument for development, was calculated before coronavirus turned the world on its head.

“Millions more people working from home, growing unemployment which is driving the gap between the richest and poorest in our area and a social crisis are just three of the things that undoubtedly mean the previously calculated upsides of this road need rethinking,” he said.

Mr Lyle countered: “Standing still is not an option.

“The CTLR is pivotal to our ambitions for the future of Perth and Kinross so it continues to be a place where people want to live, work and invest for years to come.

“It will deliver an enormous economic boost to the area in terms of new housing, and subsequent council tax receipts, and new employment.”

Gerard McGoldrick, who chairs the Abernyte School Parent Council, said: “This is going to create more traffic through villages like Abernyte and Rait, but also communities over the border in Angus such as Muirhead.

“These roads really aren’t suitable for big vehicles. I don’t think unintended consequences have been properly evaluated. I’m also concerned we are about to spend a lot of money during a period when the whole relationship with travel and people may have changed.”

Rait resident Cathy Hawes said the road through her village has become increasingly popular with cyclists and pedestrians, including children.