Not a Bridge Too Far

by Mike McWilliam

When the Fair City of Perth and the county of Perth and Kinross has so much to offer, it is a great shame that one of the abiding memories for visitors attending major events in and around the City can be that of being trapped in a traffic gridlock that allows them a detailed examination of Bridgend.

The necessity to build a third bridge and complete a city bypass is essential for tourism and economic development if Perth is to thrive. It would also allow Scone and Almond Valley to develop and evolve in a more controlled fashion and encourage businesses to relocate to areas such as Perth Airport where there are currently around 64 companies supporting some 350 jobs.

The improved transport links would benefit most in the area, and therefore a suggested ‘roof tax’ for every new build house in the county, set on a sliding scale depending on location, could help to fund the programme. It would also be necessary to have a phased programme so that each improvement was prioritised and planned over a period that made it affordable.

Better traffic flow would allow freer access both to the City centre shops, businesses and facilities but would also allow the prestigious events that take place at Scone Palace, Perth Races and beyond to pass off successfully. Allowing well entertained visitors to leave on a positive note promising to return for more of the same rather than depending on time to dull the memory of the interminable queues.

We are privileged to live and work in some of the most beautiful scenery and architecture in the world. Therefore let’s try and make it as easy as possible to share it with as many as possible, so that they might want to live and work here. This new injection of fresh ideas and vigour would benefit the community as a whole and allow a revival of Perth’s fortunes. After all, who in Perthshire can imagine life in The Fair City today without the Friarton Bridge?