Plans for the village Square

Some years ago Perth and Kinross Council kindly came up with an environmental improvement scheme for the village. Much of the work was completed at considerable cost. The beach area was remodelled, a public free car park established, new pavements put in along the beach, a new entrance constructed and barbecue stations were erected. The lawns around the Church were remodelled and wood bollards put in. (see above). The last bit of the plan was however put on hold, because the new water pipe was due to be laid through the square and there was no point re-surfacing it if it was only to be dug up again! The plan lay forgotten for a while and did not make it into the next Area Plan, but with the help of the Community Council and the Millennium Association it was put back on the agenda. The Square is used by visitors and residents alike and it can be very busy. Often cars will be double parked hard up against the fence. This makes it impossible for pedestrians to pass through and people get blocked in, causing much frustration!		Our local MSP/MP John Swinney and our local Councillor Ken Lyall have both helped in promoting the idea. The good news is that funding has now been found by Perth & Kinross Council (Rural Initiatives, Roads, Transport and Architectural Services). The completion of the environmental improvement scheme is vital to the village. The square is the hub of village activity and with holes in the pavement it has been a bit of an eyesore as well as being dangerous in winter. The scheme will re-build some of the pavements, re-model the corner around the post office and provide a pedestrian link from the beach and car park to the village and proposed heritage centre. The whole village is really chuffed that the scheme is to go ahead. The Improvement Scheme will put in a proper pathway alongside the fence so that people can walk without being blocked by cars. The surface is to be redone to get rid of holes which are a danger. We still have to sort out parking rules, but a compromise betweem some resident parking, some Hotel parking as well as short waiting time and free visitor parking should be possible.