Shutdown causes major issues for commuters

The response to yesterday morning’s cave-in caused “pandemonium” for city centre commuters.

Atholl Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, was closed to all traffic between Kinnoull Street and North Methven Street throughout the day.

Huge tailbacks stretched back along the A94 to Scone and, at the other side of the roadblock, along Crieff Road as far as the Asda roundabout.

There was also congestion in Rose Terrace and Barossa Place where traffic coming into Perth was diverted.

Police officers were stationed outside the closure zone to direct traffic.

Bus passengers said that their journeys were extended by about 45 minutes, with some giving up and walking to work instead.

School transport to Perth Academy and St John’s was also delayed by about 30 to 40 minutes.

The shutdown affected four Stagecoach services.

Diversions are likely to stay in place today with eastbound traffic being directed along Barossa Place and Melville Street, while vehicles heading west will be sent along Kinnoull Street, High Street and North Methven Street.

One commuter said: “It was complete pandemonium throughout the city centre. Atholl Street is one of the busiest roads in Perth, especially at that time in the morning.”

A 2016 study named Atholl Street as one of the most polluted thoroughfares in Scotland, breaking the strict European directive of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre.