Property owners are face growing pressure to safeguard historic Perth buildings after fire crews were scrambled to tackle further storm damage in the city centre.
Part of the High Street was locked down by police on Monday morning as firefighters worked to remove hazardous loose slates and a wobbly TV aerial from the roof of a block of flats.
Residents raised the alarm when a section of flashing crashed down on to the pavement between Mill Street and New Row.
Two Perth fire crews were called to the top end of the High Street just after 9.30am.
Police Scotland taped off the thoroughfare as firefighters used a crane to reach the top of a three-storey block.
A fire service spokeswoman said loose flashing, tiles and a TV aerial were safely removed during the 45 minute shut down.
One resident said: “A large section of roof came down on to the street. It was really worrying to see. If someone was walking underneath at the time, they’d be a goner.”
David MacLehose, chairman of the Perth Civic Trust, said the incidents should serve as a stark reminder for owners to inspect and maintain their properties.
The trust recently called for building owners to tidy up their rooftops and remove unsightly weeds and trees growing around chimney stacks.
“It goes to show how important it is that buildings in our city centre are checked and maintained regularly,” said Mr MacLehose. “And that is the responsibility of land and property owners.
“We have problems with shrubbery sprouting from buildings and it shows that, in a lot of cases, further TLC is required.”
Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett added: “Storms Ciara and Dennis serve to emphasise the importance of ensuring that residents keep on top of inspections and communal maintenance issues for roofs, chimneys, gutters and repointing of walls.
“It means owners taking responsibility and being proactive in looking for signs of repairs needing done. That means checking for things like washed out or decayed mortar loose slates, plant growth in gutters and flashings, stone decay due to cement mortar pointing and loose stonework.”
The Lib Dem councillor said advice on communal maintenance schemes was available from Perth and Kinross Council.
The local authority has encouraged property owners to carry out surveys and maintenance work in the wake of last weekend’s incident.
