Businesses fear road closure would hit summer tourist trade

aberfeldy: Shutdown needed during urgent bridge repairs on A827

The leader of Perth and Kinross Council has said closing a busy road to repair a historic bridge is “not on the cards”.

Urgent repairs are needed on the crumbling Cultullich Bridge on the A827, sparking fears that businesses in nearby Aberfeldy will lose crucial summer trade.

It is the main route from the A9 to Aberfeldy and concerns were raised about plans to close the road for seven weeks from the end of August.

Angry opposition councillors said the administration must fork out for a temporary bridge to be installed to allow the road to stay open during the work and now council leader Murray Lyle has agreed closing the road completely would be the “worst possible option”.

He has called for option appraisals to be carried out to find a way to repair the bridge with the least possible impact on the route between Aberfeldy and Grandtully but said engineers have been hindered by strict conditions imposed by Scottish Natural Heritage and Sepa.

Their rules state work cannot be carried out at night and restricts the time of year it can be done, due to the presence of salmon and otters nearby.

Mr Lyle said: “It’s a complex issue, it’s not just as straightforward as a simple bridge repair because of the demands of SNH and Sepa over what we can do and when we can do it.

“Obviously it’s a priority to try to keep the road open.

“We are assessing all of the options available, and officers are going to come back with option appraisals and costs next week.”

SNP Highland Perthshire councillor Mike Williamson said money has only been earmarked for the repair work itself, not for a temporary bridge, and called on the council to use reserve funding if necessary.

“It would have a huge impact as the businesses rely on passing trade, particularly in the summer.”

It is hoped the repairs will stabilise the embankment at the Cultullich crossing, about one mile east of the town, following a landslip four years ago.

Councillor Angus Forbes said: “The council understands that a road closure for this period of time would have a significant impact on residents and local businesses and officers earlier this month asked ward councillors to help identify relevant community stakeholders to engage with as part of the next stage of planning for the project.

“The feedback received via ward councillors, and directly, is now being considered.”

It’s a complex issue, it’s not just as straightforward as a simple bridge repair because of the demands of SNH and Sepa over what we can do and when we can do it. COUNCILLOR MURRAY LYLE