Controversial wire meshes have been re-attached to bridges in Alyth, despite claims they aggravated problems during last summer’s great flood.
The metal grids were originally fitted to stone crossings several years ago after a safety campaign by residents.
The aim was to help any youngsters who fell into the burn and stop them from being washed downstream.
But in July last year, when a month’s worth of rain fell on the area over the space of just one morning, the meshes were blamed for clogging up the bridges, causing the burn to overflow and swamp parts of the town.
Earlier this month, residents gathered to discuss options for new bridges to replace the ones which were damaged beyond repair.
Perth and Kinross Council has already spent £800,000 on repairs to the town, including the bridges which survived.
Local councillor Dennis Melloy said he was surprised to see meshes being re-fitted.
“There is a great deal of concern from the public about these meshes and the damage they appear to have caused,” he said.
“There doesn’t seem to be any point to them. No one has ever fallen into the burn and, in any event, there are much more dangerous sections where they might be more suitable.
“I think this is a case of us taking health and safety a bit too far.”
Environment committee convener Alan Grant said there had been “no bad reaction” from locals to the new bridge designs, which feature vertical bars instead of meshes.
“At the end of the day, there is always going to be a risk that material is going to catch up in whatever we attach to these bridges,” he added.
“However, if we had removed these meshes and latterly a child fell in, you can guarantee we would get the blame.”
New bridge designs were unveiled to residents at a workshop at the weekend.
Feedback from the session, which looked at a wider package of improvements for the town, will be revealed at a follow-up meeting at the end of the month.