A popular tourist trail that was fenced off following a landslide two years ago could finally reopen to the public.
The historic Oakbank Road at Blairgowrie was branded unsafe by council chiefs after a 600-tonne landslip caused major damage.
Perth and Kinross Council announced last year that it wanted to lock down the area for good after consultants said the cost of making the land safe again could run into millions of pounds.
But the local authority agreed to investigate alternative measures after an impassioned plea from residents who argued the riverside walk which leads to the iconic Cargill’s Leap was an important visitor spot.
The council’s environment committee will be asked to approve plans to reopen the road at a cost of around £100,000.
In his report, community greenspace leader Andy Clegg said the site was visited by councillors last month, in preparation for Wednesday’s meeting.
“Whilst the council were correct to close the road until the matter of public safety had been fully considered, on the basis of the most recent advice, the council can now consider reopening the road,” he said.
“This does not mean the route is less likely to suffer further landslips but that the action the council is proposing to take will reduce the risk to the public whilst keeping the route open.”
Fencing would be installed along the damaged section, leaving a 4ft-wide pathway. An inspector will be tasked with monitoring the road and carrying out regular assessments. Signs warning of potential risks will also be put in place.
Resident Tim Copeland, who led a petition to have the route reopened, said: “It appears the council finally accept that they do have a legal obligation to keep Oakbank Road open for pedestrians, which is great news.
“There will be a very large number of local people who will be delighted to see something finally being done to address the problem.”
Oakbank Road was described by local councillor Bob Ellis as one of the most popular walks in Perthshire and attracted about 50,000 people each year. The trail is the only direct access to Cargill’s Leap, a historic site where covenanter Donald Cargill escaped government troops by jumping into the river Ericht.
The pedestrianised road belongs to Sir William Macpherson of Cluny, but responsibility for its upkeep now lies with the council.