By Alan Richardson

THE A9 was closed due to flooding last night north of the Keir roundabout as far as Broxden at Perth.

A decision on whether to re-open the road will not be taken until this morning.

However, on the whole Perthshire residents breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as it appeared the region had escaped the predicted weather chaos for the weekend.

Water levels receded slightly between Saturday morning and Sunday evening although some isolated flooding remained.

In the wake of Friday’s downpour, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency left three severe flood warnings in place in Highland Perthshire, but these were reduced to flood warning status by Saturday afternoon.

A steady rainfall yesterday afternoon saw the River Tay from Kenmore to the A9 road bridge upstream of Dunkeld, including Aberfeldy and Dalguise, and remote River Lyon revert to severe flood warning status last night, but police reported no new problems as a result.

However, south of Perth, flooding forced the closure of the A9 at Blackford overnight, with diversions set in place.

Expected heavy rain, coupled with a thaw of snow on higher ground, left SEPA expecting rivers to rise and flow faster than normal.

Most of Saturday’s problems resulted from more rain on Friday night adding to the aftermath of last week’s deluge.

Travellers faced frustration as the A93 between Perth and Blairgowrie at Meikleour was closed, as well as several minor roads.

The Perth to Inverness rail service was also disrupted by flooding between Dunkeld and Pitlochry, forcing passengers on to buses.

Network Rail was still working to clear the line yesterday and could give no indication, with structural damage possible, when this could happen.

In Perth itself, there was some flooding, with basements in Charlotte Street and Charlotte Place pumped out by the fire service.

The Craigie Burn also overflowed as the floodgates on the South Inch were closed, sending torrents of water cascading down streets.

As usual, the South Inch became a flood plain while the North Inch was also under water. The Tay had risen high enough to touch the observation platforms built during the flood defence work along the river.

Drivers also had to take long diversions through the town when the A9 slip road from Crieff Road was closed.

By 8 o’clock last night, with the rain showing no sign of easing, SEPA had re-established two severe flood warnings and issued six flood warnings covering the rivers Tay, Earn, Tummel and Isla, and four other areas—including the Earn and Ericht—were on flood watch.

BEAR Scotland last night confirmed that the A84 near Callander, which was closed at the weekend due to flooding, was reopened to traffic at 8 pm.

The road was closed when the bordering river burst its banks.

A spokesman said, “The rainfall has been unrelenting but water levels are reducing to the extent that it’s safe for drivers to use.”

* Traffic between St Andrews and Cupar was disrupted on Saturday morning due to flooding on the main A91 route.

Police operated diversions when a section of the carriageway between St Andrews and Guardbridge was under water.