MOTORISTS IN Perthshire had to deal with treacherous conditions yesterday after the area was battered by torrential rain in the early hours.

A number of arterial routes in Perth were hit by localised flooding, with drivers forced to reduce their speed at regular hot spots including Crieff and Feus Road.

Motorists using the A9 between Stirling and Perth and A90 between Dundee and Perth were also affected. One commuter described “dangerous surface water.”

The driver, who was making her way into Perth for 9am, said she had left extra time for the drive expecting bad conditions.

She said, “Although the road was usable I had a few hairy moments.

“At certain points the road was covered in water, which sprayed up onto the windscreen so I couldn’t see.

“The road was busy as usual but most people slowed to 50-60mph.”

The M90 northbound was restricted to one lane after junction eight Arlary, near Kinross, due to serious flooding.

The B9097 at Ballingry was just passable at Vane Farm.

A police spokesperson also said a vehicle had got into difficulty at lunchtime in deep water on the B8062 Crieff to Auchterarder road and had been assisted by a local farmer.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued a number of flood warnings throughout the day for local rivers.

The River Earn from Comrie to Crieff and downstream from Crieff to Bridge of Earn caused concern as the water level continued to increase, as did the River Isla from Bridge of Ruthven to the River Tay.

Flood watches were in force throughout the day at both the lower and upper Tay and its tributaries.

The agency is warning people to remain on guard, with the heavy rain forecast to continue today.