Traders and shop owners in one of Perth’s most prestigious city centre streets are breathing a sigh of relief that an end is in sight for £1 million of street work that have caused turmoil.
Work in the city’s High Street is scheduled to be completed by September 23, with the first phase of Mill Street works expected to be finished by the end of October.
This announcement has been broadly welcomed by many businesses, especially those working in George Street, who are all keen to let the Perth public know they are still operating.
The works are part of the last stage of a controversial £10m revamp at Perth and Kinross Council’s High Street headquarters.
Due to the work currently taking place both at the bottom of High Street and at Horsecross Plaza there are a number of traffic flow disruptions which have caused confusion for some regular visitors to the city centre.
Fiona McLellan, of Pharos Parcel, said: “George Street has been particularly quiet since the roadworks started and we think that people are basically a bit lost.
“We’re all still here and open and with 19 independent shops selling everything from olive oil to parcel postage and jewellery its worth a little extra effort to reach us.
“The great news is there are plenty of parking spots right now.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said that access to George Street is being maintained by reversing the one-way system on Watergate and diverting traffic into George Street.
“The environmental improvement works taking place in Perth city centre currently are to improve accessibility to city streets and buildings for all and to develop the cultural quarter around Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall – all of which will have benefits for residents and businesses alike,” she said.
“There is signage in place to advise visitors and residents that the diverse mix of independent traders in George Street are very much open for business throughout the works, as well as indicating the diversions and alternative parking options.
“As the council recognised that there would be some disruption as a result, the arrangements for the works were discussed over the course of a number of meetings with city centre businesses. All businesses have also been given direct contacts within the council to liaise with during the works, as well as direct contacts with the contractors to deal with any issues that may arise for individual businesses.”
