The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Council plan to minimise bridge work disruption
THE COUNCIL has pledged to minimise disruption to the public and businesses when it shuts a major road bridge in Perth for four months early next year.
St Leonard’s Bridge – the main route from Craigie to the city centre – will be closed while the footways are replaced a year after a massive chunk of concrete fell from one on to the railway track below.
The news was met with disappointment from businesses which rely on passing trade to stay alive.
But after a consultation period, the council insists it will do all it can to help them through the closure, set to begin on January 21.
The work will have to be carried out at night because the main railway line underneath has to be shut during construction on the near-150-year-old bridge.
Enterprise and Infrastructure convener John Kellas said: “For the safety of the travelling public, we must carry out the footway replacements on St Leonard’s Bridge.
“However, we also want to minimise the disruption that closing the bridge will have for residents and businesses in Craigie.
“Therefore, we have listened closely to the concerns they have raised with us and are taking forward a number of actions immediately in an effort to help the local community.
“We are avoiding the busy Christmas and New Year period, which is vital for shops and businesses, and putting in place other measures to help people get around and keep using local services.
“Residents will also receive advance warning of night-time working.”
Michael Clark, who runs the Fish and Chip Co at the bridge, said: “It needs doing and that is the priority because I don’t want someone falling through the bridge because some businessman’s moans have put the brakes on the work.
“Health and safety paramount.
“So instead of moaning I would prefer to make the best of it and promote the ways in which people can still use the shops and get to the town.
“I’ve offered to put posters in the window advertising alternative routes, for example.
“Hopefully, we can get the parking plate
of
the
public
is changed so there is more time for people to come down with the car and visit the shops.
“The bridge has constant traffic and maybe this way there will be more chance to park and have a more pleasant experience here.
“We can highlight these things rather than just slagging the council.”
Contractors have not yet been appointed and a further public event will take place in January to outline further details of the work and its consequences.
Diversions will be put in place for pedes- trians through the South Inch or along Glover Street if the park is flooded.
Buses will also follow alternative routes.
To help the businesses at Craigie Cross, new signs will be put up advising the public they are trading as normal, as well as other measures.
The work will take place in phases – one bridge span at a time – to prevent the structure being destabilised.
The bridge was built in 1846 and is a key link between Craigie and the rest of Perth.