THE ONSET of severe winter weather has forced work on a vital Perth road bridge to be delayed by two months.
The weather is one of several factors cited for the repairs to St Leonard’s bridge being put off until the end of March.
The footways on both sides of the bridge over the railway track are being replaced after a gaping hole opened in one earlier this year.
Four months of work were due to start next month but will now begin on March 25. Perth and Kinross Council said the harsh winter weather could have prolonged the closure, while the new work period will incorporate the school Easter holidays and part of the summer break.
Extra time is also needed for tendering for the work and for consultation and liaison with Network Rail, Scotrail and the contractor.
The bridge will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians and one of the alternative routes to and from the city centre will be through the South Inch.
Fears had been raised about the security of walkers using the South Inch arches route and it was felt the lighter nights in spring would ease those concerns.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “The construction works, which will require a complete closure of the bridge to traffic for four months, are now scheduled to begin on March 25 2013, with completion anticipated by July 19.
“Residents in the area of the bridge and Craigie Cross have been advised in writing of the alteration.
“Perth and Kinross Council is continuing to work closely with Network Rail and Scotrail to firm up the constraints of working in and around Perth Railway Station, in order to minimise the bridge closure period and keep any disruption to the public to a minimum,” added the spokesperson.
Following talks with locals, the council has also announced a range of measures to mitigate the effect on local businesses in the Craigie Cross area, which had feared the loss of foot traffic past their shop:
l Signs will be provided in a wide range of locations to advise that shops and businesses in Craigie Cross and St Leonard’s Bank will be open as usual during the works. Others will advise pedestrians of the alternative diversion should the South Inch be flooded.
l A letter-drop consultation will be carried out this month with the community to gauge feedback on a proposal to temporarily alter parking restrictions in Craigie Cross.
l Winter maintenance at each end of the bridge closure will remain at the current standard and the South Inch footpath will be gritted every morning, as required.
l Clearing works on the Craigie Burn, and the installation of a new self-cleaning grille on the burn near Perth Prison will help reduce the duration and frequency of any flooding on the South Inch.
Much of the work will have to be carried out at night because the railway line underneath has to be shut during construction on the near 150-year-old bridge.
The council also confirmed that the contractor will be required to keep the community informed in advance about any major changes to the programme of works and the night-time working.
A further public exhibition, initially planned for mid-January, will now be held in early March.
The work will take place in phases one bridge span at a time to prevent the structure, which was built in 1846, becoming destabilised.
arichardson@thecourier.co.uk