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Local people came out in force to support plans to link Perth to Scone with an attractive new foot and cycle bridge over the River Tay. And the project now takes a step closer as sustainable transport charity Sustrans and its Connect2 partners at Perth and Kinross Council sign the paperwork that will guide the development for the coming years.  The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding confirms partners continued commitment to the project and pledges £1.25 million from Sustrans’ Connect2 lottery award to build the bridge. 

At the moment the nearest point for crossing the river is the busy and congested Perth Bridge, in the centre of Perth. The proposed bridge would encourage people to travel across the river between Perth and Scone on foot and by bike, making it easier for people to commute by sustainable means into Perth and also to get out and enjoy the surrounding countryside. 

This scheme has been made possible through enormous popular support for Sustrans’ Connect2 and communities across the nation – including Perth – voted en masse for Sustrans’ Connect2 to win the TV vote to bring £50million from the Big Lottery Fund to create 79 walking and cycling networks for everyday journeys across the UK. 

Sustrans’ Scotland Director John Lauder said: “Once completed, this traffic-free bridge is going to be a real asset to the local community, enabling many more people to get around town in ways which are good for their health and that of the environment.”

Councillor George Hayton, Perth & Kinross Council’s Depute Leader of the Administration said: “This is a  significant scheme for Perth and the surrounding area as it is intended to improve facilities for sustainable transport, including making walking and cycling a more popular everyday way of getting into the city. We will be working closely with Sustrans and the local community with the aim of delivering these improvements.”

Published on 10th Nov 2009