Perth city centre businesses have been warned to brace themselves for a summer of disruption with plans for more than a £1 million worth of street work due to begin next month.
The extensive construction programme is part of the final phase of a controversial £10 million revamp at Perth and Kinross Council’s High Street headquarters.
Roads around the landmark building will be closed off for weeks at a time, while engineers get to work on a series of public realm improvements. The aim of the project is to make the area more attractive to shoppers and potential investors.
The project is due to begin on July 4 – when Morrison Construction is due to dismantle scaffolding at the council building – and will run until September.
The High Street from Tay Street to the Watergate/George Street junction will be closed to traffic for about three-and-a-half months and vehicles will be diverted along Watergate and St John Street by reversing the one-way system, while imposing a 10mph limit.
In a bid to minimise disruption, the local authority is urging businesses to send details of their hours of trade and delivery times.
The council’s traffic and network manager Charles Haggart said in a letter to business owners: “Perth and Kinross Council are undertaking streetscape improvements on the High Street as part of the 2 High Street building refurbishment works.
“This is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to the investment in the public realm and it is envisaged that this will encourage further private investment in the city centre, providing an enhanced High Street to compliment the tourism attractions and businesses on the pedestrianised area of the High Street, and St John Street and also George Street and Tay Street.”
He added: “The environmental improvement works will involve a complete upgrade of the existing streetscape from Tay Street onto the High Street, using high quality materials and street furniture.”
City Centre councillor Peter Barrett said he was initially “shocked” to learn that widespread restrictions would be in place for up to 14 weeks, but said he was “impressed” about the measures and precautions being put in place to soften the blow.
“The council has consulted extensively with local businesses over the past fortnight in order to minimise impacts on deliveries and access by customers’ vehicles,” he said.
“Total closures are being restricted to two Sundays in September. Access to George Street will be maintained via the Watergate, where the one-way system has been suspended, and from South Street through St John’s Street subject to a 10mph speed limit.”
Mr Barrett added: “Both the Council and Morrison Construction have specified named liaison persons for local businesses. The named contractor representative will be the first point of contact for local businesses and ongoing engagement with local businesses will be provided by the named roads official. I am impressed with the arrangement that the council and contractor have put in place and by the level of engagement so far.
“It is also good news that the scaffolding in front of the Council HQ will come down before July 4.”
