Road to close for up to three weeks for emergency gas works

A section of the A926 between Blairgowrie and Alyth will be closed for three weeks due to emergency gas repairs.

According to a local councillor, gas levels on Thursday were “significantly higher” prompting the need to close the road immediately.

Blairgowrie High School has contacted parents about changes to school transport arrangements.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “Due to emergency gas repairs, a section of the A926 between Blairgowrie and Alyth is closed.

“SGN expects the road to be closed from its junction with the property known as Hollycroft to the property known as North Littleton for approximately three weeks.

“A shuttle bus will run between New Alyth and Meigle from lunchtime today. Connections to Blairgowrie and Dundee are available at Meigle. The shuttle bus will stop at New Alyth Shelter, Alyth square and opposite the Post Office in Meigle.

“Parents and carers will be contacted directly about any changes to school transport.”

According to Blairgowrie and Glens ward Conservative councillor Bob Brawn the need to hastily close the road on Monday was for public safety reasons.

He said: “People would have driven through the temporary traffic lights on the A926 Alyth road for the last few days which enabled SGN to carry out further works. We were informed that the necessary repairs would need another three-week closure intended to start on Wednesday.

“However, this morning we were advised that gas levels were significantly higher which represented a public risk and therefore closure had to be moved up to today.

“Whilst this new closure will cause travel disruption, especially as instigated so quickly, but when dealing with gas, public safety is paramount and we must act in accordance with expert advice.”

SNP Blairgowrie and Glens ward councillor Tom McEwan added: “As emergency repairs of the gas main this is important work and, as there is a danger to the public, cannot be delayed.

“It seems obvious now that the gas main along the A926 Alyth to Rattray Road is reaching the end of its life and planned repairs of the rest of this section should be considered by SGN and I will be asking them to consider this option.

“A 57 shuttle bus service and taxi connections between Alyth and Meigle to connect with the bus service are being put in place.

“As this is an A road closure drivers must use the A road network as a diversion, shorter routes through unclassified and B roads are not suitable, lead to dangerous driving, accidents and blockages of these minor roads.”

Local councillor Caroline Shiers described the situation as “hugely concerning”, and – while fully understanding the need for the work to be completed urgently – has questioned why there have been so many issues with gas pipes on this road.

The Conservative Blairgowrie and Glens councillor said: “Once this work is complete, we then need a programme from SGN for the upgrade of this section of the gas network.

“I have lived in the local area and used the road between Rattray and Alyth for 30 years and there have often been issues with the gas pipes along the road. A planned programme of works would, in the longer term alleviate these unplanned road closures.”

Dan Brown, spokesperson for gas company SGN, said:”We’re continuing to urgently fix our network along the A926 to ensure nearby properties continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.

“Our engineers initially installed temporary traffic lights around our site on Friday 13 March. However, we’ve since identified an additional leak approximately 300 metres further along this affected pipe, meaning we can now only safely work under a road closure. A signed diversion is in place.

“It’s still too early to say how long this essential work will take to complete, but we’d like to reassure the community that we’re doing everything we can to make the required repairs to enable the safe reopening of the road.”