A quarter of a year of gas works will begin in Crieff after community pressure successfully stopped them taking place over the busy tourist season.
The SGN project will begin on Monday near the Visitor Centre on Muthill Road and continue up the A822 towards the junction with Gallowhill affecting the main bridge in the town.
The gas company had originally planned to start the work last summer but were forced to rethink their plans following a backlash from local residents and businesses.
SGN held two consultations in Crieff in April with businesses warning the summer timing of the work would have a “devastating effect” on the town’s tourism trade.
The Highland Gathering and Visitor Centre both asked for the work to be pushed back to winter when less travellers visit the town.
Residents also called for a traffic management system to be implemented rather than the closure of North Bridge Street.
SGN has now abandoned plans to shut North Bridge Street and will instead use a traffic light controlled contraflow system to keep the road open.
Speaking after the community win, Stuart McLaren, managing director of Crieff Visitor Centre, called the decision a “big relief”.
He said: “We’re pleased that SGN has taken notice of our concerns and come back with a solution which will cause far less interference.”
Originally planned to last about eight weeks the £200,000 gas pipe replacement work is now expected to last approximately 13 weeks.
A spokesperson for SGN said: “Our work will begin in Muthill Road near to the Crieff Visitor Centre.
“Our engineers will then continue northwards in the A822, into South Bridgend, North Bridge Street and Burrell Street until we reach the junction for Gallowhill.
“We are sorry about any inconvenience our work causes and would like to thank road users for their patience.
“This is a complex engineering project, however we always aim to minimise disruption whenever possible.
“After close consultation with the local authorities, and listening to feedback from local residents and businesses, our project will begin on Monday January 6 and last for approximately 13 weeks.”
