Taxpayers will be forced to pay for roadworks after Tesco pulled out of a planned store in Crieff.
Perth and Kinross Council has announced that the work the supermarket chain had committed to on Broich Road likely to cost tens of thousands of pounds will go ahead over several months in the run-up to summer.
Tesco pulled out of the new store at nearby Duchlage Farm as part of a national scaleback after it overestimated its profits by £250 million.
A local authority spokesperson said the road improvements are to “safeguard pedestrians and motorists alike”.
Depute council leader Alan Grant, pictured, said it was “very disappointing”.
“Council officers and the developers worked together over a number of years, along with other agencies and in consultation with the local community, to progress the development as far as possible,” he said.
“However, it was ultimately a business decision for the supermarket group to make.
“In terms of the cost of the works, these are still being worked on.
“We have an outline plan but, clearly, there may be issues which have not yet been dealt with such as land purchase for the widening of the footpath thus there is no firm figure as yet.”
Tesco will work with the council to find an alternative use for the redundant site.
The community and local politicians reacted with anger when the company announced last month that it would not be pursuing the planned Crieff supermarket.
Gordon Banks, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, said: “Tesco pulling out of coming to Crieff has created mixed responses but it doesn’t detract from the fact that if the council want to develop this area they will need to invest in the infrastructure to make it safer.
“Additionally, I know the local community and organisations such as the community council are determined to turn Tesco’s decision into an opportunity to improve Crieff in the long term.”
The Broich road works will include widening the footpath, new street lighting and the introduction of a 30mph speed limit along the length of the road.
“Due to Strathearn Community Campus, the town’s new primary school and St Dominic’s RC Primary School being located in the vicinity, this speed limit will be lowered at the beginning and end of the school day to 20mph,” said the council spokesperson.
“These works will be completed in summer 2015 before the schools resume for the autumn term.”
Dave Lewis, Tesco chief executive, said the decision to pull out of new store development had been made “with a heavy heart”.
He added: “I know that this news will be a real disappointment to many people in the local community and we’re extremely grateful for the support we’ve received for our plans, I am very aware of the importance of the site to the area and I am determined that we will work closely with Perth and Kinross Council to find the right solution for the local community.”
He said Tesco is prepared to consider all reasonable offers for the site, adding: “We do not intend to landbank this site and we would look to work with the council to find an alternative use which is appropriate for Crieff as soon as we possibly can.”