The spectre of job losses hangs over the workforce of the Perth roads maintenance and management organisation BEAR Scotland Ltd.
Rumours have spread quickly that BEAR, which is based on the Inveralmond Estate on the outskirts of Perth, was looking to shed staff.
When contacted, the firm said redundancies were being considered due to the economic climate.
“We will shortly begin formal consultations with our employees about reductions in staff numbers as a result of reducing client budgets,” said a BEAR Scotland spokesman.
“Given the nature of the consultations, we are not in a position to provide any further information at this time.”
It is not known how many staff will be affected.
BEAR Scotland acts as a trunk road operating company on behalf of Transport Scotland.
Its management and maintenance operations include co-ordinating work on the trunk road network to minimise delays to the public.
It also works on carriageways, bridges, road lighting and footway inspections and repairs.
Replacement of road markings and road signs and winter precautionary salting and snow clearance are also carried out by BEAR employees.