Crucial bridge repairs at flood-hit Alyth is crippling local businesses, traders have claimed.
Work is under way to replace historic crossings which were swept away in the great flood of 2015.
The “once-in-200-year” deluge caused widespread devastation, forcing dozens of people out of their homes and businesses.
The new bridges have been seen as the final chapter in Alyth’s road to recovery.
But the work, which began this week and will run until March, is causing chaos in the town centre.
Perth and Kinross Council, which arranged the work, has apologised for ongoing disruption including the temporary loss of parking spaces in the square.
It has led to calls for business rates relief for affected traders.
Problems have been aggravated by separate work on a new Co-op store at the old David Sim DIY shop.
Sandy Sarwar, whose Price Cracker convenience store was one of the worst hit in the flood, said: “Its complete pandemonium.
“The work has taken over most of the square and there’s hardly any parking left.”
He said that construction was having an adverse impact on all businesses along Commercial Street.
“Its decimating our business,” he said. “We’ve seen our trade drop by about a third since the work began.”
Alyth Hotel manager David Coupar said: “I appreciate this work has to be done and this is probably the best time of year to do it.
“But it seems very excessive for a footbridge. It looks like they’re building the Queensferry Crossing the amount of space they’re taking up.
“Its been scaring away our customers, we’re certainly losing passing trade. I didn’t serve a single lunch today.”
Local councillor Dennis Melloy said he had been approached by local business owners “Alyth businesses were hit really hard when those devastating floods hit the town in 2015,” he said.
“Since then all businesses are still struggling to survive as they have had more than their share of disruption due to continuous road works with no entry, no parking signs and traffic lights in front of their shops.”
He said: “I fully understand that there has to be some disruption as the utility companies all have to dig up the roads so that we have the utilities to make our lives easier.
“This disruption in Alyth has been really bad since September and has now been exacerbated with the construction of the new bridges and the refurbishment of the former David Sim shop.”
He continued: “Somehow we must find a way to reduce the disruption to a minimum, so that businesses can trade and residents can shop in their own town.
“The council have it in their powers to give some business rates relief to businesses who have been affected and I will be discussing this with them as a matter of urgency as these works are expected to last another four weeks.”
A local authority spokeswoman said: “Perth and Kinross Council carried out significant consultation with the local community regarding the Alyth bridges.
“Following the consultation we carried out letter drops to affected local businesses on November 11, regarding the Scottish Gas diversion works and again on December 9, regarding the main footbridge construction works.”
She said: “This correspondence detailed the timing of the works and the road closures and parking restrictions deemed necessary as a minimum to carry out the works in a safe manner.
“The parking restrictions for the main footbridge construction works are monitored on a regular basis to ensure that the disruption is kept to a minimum.”
She added: “The council apologises for any inconvenience caused but, as with all works of this nature, it is inevitable that there will be some disruption.
“The council is happy to discuss with the local business owner any particular issues he would like to raise should he wish to make contact.”
