A Tay Street businessman located in the work zone for Scottish Water’s 20-month Perth ‘super sewer’ construction has blasted the utility company for failing to mitigate the situation now that the first construction teams are on site.
Cameron Grassick of Robert Cameron Hairdressers said he was told Scottish Water would act to ease the impact on businesses hampered by the road closure.
He explained: “Scottish Water promised we would be getting printed net screening with giant pictures of the river view along the pedestrian walkway to screen the building site, and planters.
“But work has started and none of this has been installed.
“They’ve just dumped a heap of ugly roadworks opposite me. It’s pretty off-putting.”
Scottish Water began work to install a sewer pipe on Tay Street last Monday.
The job is predicted to last 20 months.
The company recently held a drop-in event to update businesses and to discuss how the disruption could be off-set.
Cameron says the Tay Street road closures are currently not ‘complete closures’ in that customers can drive in and park outside his salon - but only for the next five weeks.
He accused Scottish Water of bad communication.
“We all assumed when work began on Monday that Tay Street would be closed to all car traffic, period,” he said.
“But on the Friday before, giving us just days to adjust and tell customers, they informed me that cars could access our bit of Tay Street for the next five weeks as the level of work in the early days did not justify a total closure.
“Yes, that’s good news, but I have had to contact each customer individually ahead of their appointment to update them about where they can leave their car or be dropped off.
“We had no warning about there being limited access for a limited time as opposed to it being a no-car zone from day one.
“Roadworks at Bridgend have made the traffic flow over the bridges hellish so, on top of that consideration, I’m not surprised our customers who cannot walk here find accessing us by car more than a little daunting.”
Christopher Strachan, owner of the 63 Tay Street AA-starred restaurant a few doors along, has taken to social media to encourage bookings.
“With our section of Tay Street now closed to traffic, I’d just like to reassure our guests that we are still open under normal opening hours,” he posted.
“Pavements are still open and I’m happy to say that, after negotiations with Scottish Water, there will be a one-way running lane for local access from the junction at Marshall Place to the junction with Canal Street, meaning if you’re driving to us, you’ll be able to drop off your fellow guest/s at our front door and then park at one of the nearby car parks.
“These are the car parks behind the court and beside the graveyard on Canal Street. Alternatively parking is available at the South Inch which is a short stroll away.”
Mr Strachan had told the PA last month that he was incredulous that city councillors had not made contact directly with the affected businesses who are facing nearly two years of major roadworks and traffic diversion and fear this could be the tipping point.
Mr Grassick said yesterday: “My business is suffering as the collateral in a plan to make improvements to benefit the city as a whole. Where are our city councillors?”
Perth City Centre councillor Bailie Chris Ahern has apologised for being late in the day in coming to assist Tay Street businesses affected by the Scottish Water sewer work, but has vowed to help.
And councillor Eric Drysdale said: “I am somewhat constrained at the moment due to a family illness situation, which obviously Mr Grassick wouldn’t be aware of.
“However, if he would care to email me with his concerns, I would of course be happy to try to advise him.”
Councillor Peter Barrett responded: “I appreciate that this is a stressful time for local businesses due to the disruption from Scottish Water’s work in Tay Street.
“I met with another Tay Street business owner following previous criticism of city centre members published by the PA. I intervened on their behalf with Scottish Water and PKC’s business rates team.
“I’m not difficult to get a hold of, and am happy to meet with and support local business in any way I can.”
Councillor Andrew Parrott said: “I have been involved in helping businesses to cope with the disruption that this vital work will cause. I was meeting just this morning with one business that got in contact with me and will be taking the matters raised forwards with council officers as soon as I can.”
A spokesman for Scottish Water said they had “previously set out a plan for a one-way lane to maintain access for as much of the time as practically possible”.
He added: “At stages in the work where we can do more than this, we are seeking to do so – although we recognise this will mean there will need to be changes to the arrangements and will do all we can to let people know in advance.
“There will also be some periods where the running lane can’t be maintained, although we aim to keep these to a minimum.”
The spokesman added: “We are in the process of finalising measures to keep pedestrian areas around the site as attractive as possible. We will continue to engage with businesses about this over the coming weeks.”
