A Perthshire resident wants action taken to stop lorries parking near a busy motorway after claiming that some days there are up to 10 at the side of the road.
Katherine Huggett yesterday told The Courier that the problem has escalated over the past 18 months, with lorries parking overnight on Moray Street, Blackford, in an area near a compound used by Tayside Contracts.
She claimed that Perth and Kinross Council is aware of the situation but feels action needs to be taken now to address the matter, especially with a surge in tourists expected next year when the Ryder Cup takes place at nearby Gleneagles.
Ms Huggett believes the lorries’ “illegal” parking has destroyed footpaths in the Perthshire village.
“I’m not pointing the finger at anyone, but the lorries are destroying council property and blocking public footpaths on a daily basis,” she said.
“Residents are forced to walk on the A9 road, risking being hit by the traffic. Motorists don’t expect to see people walking on the road.”
She continued: “They are spending millions of pounds and Gleneagles rail station is being redeveloped but we can’t actually get there safely so can’t use it.
“Over the last 18 months the problem with the lorries has really escalated, to the point where some HGVs park overnight. A core path is now blocked by the lorries and some of the vehicles carry out three-point turns near the A9.”
Ms Huggett claims both the local authority and local councillors are aware of the problem with the lorries but she feels nothing has been done about it.
She says the problem is tarnishing the image of Blackford prior to the arrival of next year’s Ryder Cup.
She said: “There will be lots of visitors going to see the Ryder Cup next year, but this area looks grubby now.
“It’s not helped by some lorry drivers chucking rubbish out of their vehicles, or bottles of urine.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council commented: “Any obstruction of a footway by any vehicle, including lorries, is a traffic violation and this would be a matter for Police Scotland.
“A planning condition was applied to the extension of the Highland Spring plant at Blackford to ensure that adequate parking and turning facilities were provided within the site to minimise any impact on the local community.
“The council’s roads maintenance partnership will inspect the condition of the footpaths to check for any damage.”
A police spokesperson said: “Since this issue emerged, local officers have worked closely with local businesses and the Blackford Community Council and continue to do so to alleviate matters and address any concerns.”
Photo by Phil Hannah