Scone residents have criticised the route of the Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR) as a source of “noise, air pollution and traffic danger.”
Local politicians united on Monday to welcome the First Minister’s announcement of £40m for the route, which will include a new bridge over the Tay.
The money will mean the road and bridge – which were controversially omitted when the initial Tay Cities Region Deal was announced last year – will now definitely go ahead.
Residents in Scone said they had been “dreading” confirmation of the project, with the preferred route of the road passing the north edge of the village.
Professor Jill Belch, vice-chair of the Scone and District community council, called for the route to be moved further north.
“We welcome any effort that can reduce pollution and traffic in Bridgend. We are not against this road in principal. Our problem is with the route. It crosses to the north of existing Scone and it goes through the middle of the suggested new development, including a new school.”
Professor Belch, a doctor at Ninewells in Dundee, added: “It’s great that we’ve got the road, but why do we have to put it where people live? It will create noise, air pollution and traffic danger.”
Councillor Lewis Simpson of the Liberal Democrats, said any congestion-reducing benefits would be wiped out by the additional traffic created by the construction of new housing close to the route.
“There is absolutely no evidence I have seen that there will be any lasting benefit in reducing congestion in Bridgend and Perth,” he added.
Mark Ruskell, Green MSP, said: “The current design effectively drives a huge distributor road through planned housing in Scone.”
Council leader Murray Lyle said: “While the CTLR will improve journey times for many, it is important to note that this is about much more than simply a new road. From the construction itself, which will be managed in such a way that it supports local jobs and skills development, through to the broad range of housing and business it will access, the CTLR is absolutely key to the future expansion of Perth and Kinross, the beating heart of Scotland.”
