Parts of Perth’s scenic Tay Street could be dug up for months under plans unveiled by Scottish Water to upsize an existing underground sewer which it says are likely to have a “significant” impact on the local road network.
The water supplier has warned in a planning document submitted to Perth and Kinross Council that work to increase the size of pipes running underneath Tay Street and adjoining Shore Road could take as long as a year to complete and traffic diversions will be necessary throughout.
The document says the planned upgrade is required “to facilitate predicted growth in and around the Perth city area” and that the work will involve upsizing around 540 metres of pipe along both streets, the former of which lies within the city’s conservation area.
The plans have already drawn two critical responses from businesses based on Tay Street who believe the disruption the works will inevitably cause could put off customers for their duration.
Graeme Pallister of renowned restaurant 63 Tay Street, who has raised a formal objection to the works being allowed to proceed as planned, told the PA last week: “It’s pretty severe and the timing is ridiculous.
“I can only imagine what people’s reaction will be to ripping up one of the nicest places in Perth that tourists flock to.
“And the traffic - I look out my kitchen window and it’s always jam-packed out there. Where is it all going to go?”
Cameron Grassick of Robert Cameron Hair has also raised a formal objection to works going ahead as planned.
The Scottish Water planning document states: “The works in Tay Street and Shore Road will take 9-12 months and will commence early January 2023.
“This will be carried out under phased closures of Tay Street, allowing access for residents and local businesses within this section at all times.
“A diversion route will be in place during road closures.
“The work to Shore Road will be carried out under a full road closure, with access to businesses via a diversion route, suitable for HGVs.”
Asked about its traffic diversion plans a Scottish Water spokesperson told the PA the details had still to be finalised with PKC.
They said: “With our delivery partner Caledonia Water Alliance, we are preparing a significant investment in Perth’s sewer network on part of Tay Street and Shore Road.
“This work is a key element of a wider programme of investment in Perth’s water and waste water infrastructure over the years ahead, which will enable us to support the city’s continuing growth, while also addressing a number of areas where existing customers are currently at significant risk of sewer flooding.
“The proposed work in Tay Street and Shore Road involves the upgrade of approximately 540 metres of existing trunk sewer between Canal Street and the South Inch to a pipe with a diameter of 2.2 metres, as well as associated diversion of other utilities to make this possible.
“This is a substantial and challenging piece of work - and we recognise that the impact on the road network while it is underway will be significant.
“We will do all we can to minimise disruption and inform road users of the arrangements once detailed plans are in place.
“We are currently in the process of engaging with local residents and businesses as we finalise proposed traffic management plans, which will ultimately need to be agreed with the roads authority.
“Further details will be available once this initial phase of engagement is complete - and well in advance of work on site beginning.”
