The centre of Perth will come to a virtual standstill on Saturday as up to 4,000 people march through the city centre during a rally by the loyalist organisation the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
Part of the annual Relief of Derry celebrations, the march was granted permission despite reservations from some quarters, including MP Pete Wishart, who described the event as “divisive”.
Traffic management and public transport arrangements have been issued by the council, but motorists might choose to avoid the city centre.
“As is normal with large-scale public processions, the council will be making temporary alterations to traffic management, parking and public transport arrangements in the city centre for several hours on Saturday,” said a council spokesperson.
“Participants will depart from the Lesser South Inch at noon, proceed down Tay Street, then march into the High Street, returning to the Lesser South Inch via George Street, Bridge Lane, Horse Cross, Mill Street, Kinnoull Street, Scott Street, Marshall Place and Edinburgh Road.”
For the duration of the parade, rolling road closures will be in operation from 11.30am approximately on the following streets Tay Street westbound (from Marshall Place to High Street), High Street (from Tay Street to George Street), George Street, Bridge Lane, Horse Cross, Mill Street (from Horse Cross to Kinnoull Street), Kinnoull Street (from Mill Street to Scott Street), Scott Street, Marshall Place (from Edinburgh Road to Shore Road).
Each street will reopen after the last section of the parade has passed along it.
Cones will be placed along the centre of Tay Street from High Street to Shore Road, on Marshall Place from Edinburgh Road to James Street, and on part of Shore Road, to allow traffic to travel in the opposite direction to the march.
In addition, there will be a number of temporary restrictions to both on and off-street car parking facilities in the city centre for the duration of the march.
No car parking will be permitted on Edinburgh Road or Shore Road to allow for coach parking for the marchers. No entry or exit to the off-street council car parks at the South Inch, Mill Street and Scott Street will be allowed between 11.30am and 2.30pm.
Limited car parking only will be available on Tay Street, Scott Street and George Street between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Signs will go up beforehand to advise motorists of the changes.
A number of bus services will also be altered between 11am and 2.30pm. The only bus stops in use in the city centre during these times will be at Perth bus station, the west section of Mill Street, Kinnoull Street, South Methven Street, York Place, plus temporary bus stops located in North Methven Street.
Information about the bus service changes, detailing where passengers should get on and off their buses between 11am and 2.30pm, is being made available at bus stops and on buses, as well as on the council website, www.pkc.gov.uk
Information on the changes to transport arrangements as a result of the march has also been provided to city centre businesses through the Perth City Centre management team.