A PERTH councillor has called for a “run-down and dilapidated” area of town to be given a facelift.

Peter Barrett was speaking just days after Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham hit out over the state of Bridgend.

She cited crumbling buildings and the proposed closure of the local post office as major causes for concern.

Mr Barrett has backed the MSP’s calls for a regeneration package to be established, insisting that urgent action is required.

“Until the UK Government’s disastrous announcement that the Bridgend Post Office is to be closed, the biggest single issue affecting Bridgend regeneration was traffic,” the city centre councillor said.

“That issue is not going to go away, and it is something that can only be addressed by the Scottish Government investing in a new Tay crossing to divert heavy traffic out of our city centre.”

Mr Barrett welcomed Ms Cuningham’s intervention.

However, he insists a comprehensive package is needed.

“I am delighted that Roseanna is backing the efforts of myself and the local community to try to tackle the problems of some of the decaying building frontages, but improvements to the streetscape will only be window-dressing without tackling the root of the problem,” he said.

“That means money from the Scottish Government for a new bridge north of Perth.”

Mr Barrett applauded efforts by some businesses to improve their shop frontages in a bid to make the area more attractive.

“However, grass-roots local effort could be jeopardised by loss of the post office or the failure to address traffic congestion,” he warned.

The councillor said plans to secure a facade improvements package for Bridgend /Perth bridge corner face a shortfall of £200,000.

“This remains the main impediment to progress,” Mr Barrett said.

“I intend to raise the matter with the council’s head of economic development.”

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council insisted the local authority has been willing to put funding toward a regeneration programme.

“However, there would also need to be additional funding provided by other external funding agencies and by property owners to cover costs associated with a comprehensive scheme, and to date they have been unable or reluctant to agree to this,” he continued.

The spokesman added that this area of Perth does not yet meet the criteria for broader area regeneration of historic environment because it is not part of a conservation area.

“Changes to funding regimes for assisting repairs to private property have also hampered efforts to secure money to help us regenerate the area,” the spokesman said.