Roads chiefs were warned for several years about overhanging trees at the scene of a fatal Perthshire crash, it has emerged.
A 42-year-old driver was killed when a fallen tree crushed his vehicle as he drove along the A85 Perth to Crieff road.
The accident happened about two miles east of Gilmerton just after 8pm on Tuesday, during a heavy rainstorm.
The motorist has yet to be named by police, but his next-of-kin have been informed.
Gary McLean, who lives near the accident site, said he had warned authorities to take action on the busy route for some time.
“I have been complaining about the state of the road for about eight or nine years,” he said. “And my father, who also lives here, has been complaining about it for about 10 years before me.”
Mr McLean, 43, has raised concerns about overhanging trees to Bear Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council.
“The Perth to Crieff road has become an absolute disgrace,” he said. “We have spent hundreds of pounds repairing our windscreens because of fallen branches.”
Mr McLean, who has also raised concerns about the condition of the carriageway, added: “The trees are very old and some of them are rotten. The branches are being hit by passing lorries and becoming more and more likely to break off.
“It was only a matter of time before a big one came crashing down like this.
“Does it have to take a tragedy for someone to do something about this?”
A spokeswoman for BEAR Scotland said: “This is an unfortunate and tragic accident and our sympathies are with the family and friends at this time.
“As police investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
“Road safety is a priority for BEAR Scotland and we will be meeting with Police Scotland and Transport Scotland shortly to review all circumstances of the accident.”
A council spokeswoman stressed that the local authority was not responsible for the A-road’s upkeep.
She said: “The council’s thoughts are with the family concerned following Tuesday night’s tragic incident on the A85.
“However, we have not had maintenance responsibility for the A85 trunk road since 1996, other than for routine road sweeping work.”
She said complaints about overhanging trees were referred to BEAR Scotland.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed the accident victim’s family had been notified.
The road was closed for several hours following the crash.
