Scone residents have called for their “rights and safety” to be protected amid growing unrest around traffic management problems at Scone Palace events.
Scone and District Community Council (SDCC) is holding a public meeting into the traffic problems after concerns were raised again by locals following the Scottish Game Fair.
The fears from Scone residents follows complaints from Perth taxi company, Ace Taxis, about ongoing problems with events at the palace, saying its drivers were forced on a 10-mile detour during the Game Fair at the weekend.
SDCC claim Perth and Kinross Council are “failing” to implement promised consultations.
Donald McKerracher, Scone community councillor, said: “For many years there have been concerns within the Stormontfield community in respect of the effects of events at Scone Palace and their increasing impact on the lives of local residents.
“Following the major problems encountered in 2018 local residents have, through Scone Community Council, been endeavouring to pressurise Perth and Kinross Council to be involved in the planning.
“SDCC were effectively assured that local residents were to be involved.
“Regrettably this has not taken place and the problems incurred due the Scottish Game Fair have again raised concerns of the residents.
“Such a situation is largely due to the failure of Perth and Kinross Council to implement the promised consultations.”
The SDCC will now hold a pubic meeting at Stormontfield Hall on Wednesday July 24 at 7.30pm to give councillors and council officers an opportunity to hear the concerns of residents.
Mr McKerracher said: “It is hoped that councillors can bring pressure to bear on council officers to give due consideration to the rights and safety of local residents in respect of traffic planning.”
Perth and Kinross Council admitted that events put “additional pressure” on the road network but there was “no alternative access to Scone Palace”.
A council spokeswoman said: “Scone Palace annually hosts a number of high profile popular events that attracts large crowds from across the country which are incredibly important to the area and for boosting the local economy.
“In the case of these events Perth and Kinross Council are not the event organisers; our role is to help facilitate the event and ensure proceeds in a safe and organised manner.
“We work with Police Scotland to ensure that all required safety measures have been put in place and our officers in the road network team have the knowledge, expertise and experience to ensure the best possible traffic management plan is in place for the duration of the event.”
Responding to complaints about this year’s Scottish Game Fair, Stephen Brannigan, Head of Scone Palace, said: “Every event has different needs and Scone Palace works in consultation with the event organisers who are responsible for ensuring that traffic management plans are in place, that all the relevant agencies and Perth and Kinross Council are engaged in this process and, ultimately, that access to and from the events is as smooth as possible for visitors. “
