By Dave Lord

THERE IS a “crying need” for a third road bridge over the River Tay at Perth, an MP has claimed.

Perth and North Perthshire’s Pete Wishart spoke of major congestion in villages including Scone and Burrelton as well as gridlock in Perth itself because traffic is routed over Queen’s Bridge and Perth Bridge.

However, any possibility a third bridge would be funded by a controversial housing development in Scone has been strongly criticised.

“There is a crying need for a third bridge over the Tay due to the congestion in villages like Scone, Balbeggie, Burrelton/Woodside and the Bridgend area of Perth,” Mr Wishart said.

“The volume of heavy-goods traffic in these villages is bad for the environment and dangerous to local people.”

Mr Wishart said the case must be made “on its own merits.”

“I want to make sure that the argument for the third bridge over the Tay is carefully considered,” the MP said.

“It must be argued for on its own merits and not as some back door way to get more housing into a village like Scone.”

Mr Wishart now intends to present Perth and Kinross Council with a dossier outlining what he believes to be the pertinent points supporting his argument.

“I think the bridge is essential for Perth and for the reduction of traffic, especially through Scone,” independent councillor John Lloyd said.

“However, there is no way a few hundred houses will finance it. It will take tens of millions of pounds.”

Andrew Arbuckle MSP has also said a third bridge is needed but the council should not be “seduced” by any so-called “planning gain” offer.