Further delays with Perth Harbour closure gets stern reaction from councillors

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Councillors have expressed frustration over the length of time being taken to close Perth Harbour as a commercial port.

Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) voted to close the port in February 2023 due to it operating at a loss.

It is thought to be the first time in Scotland a statutory port authority of an operational harbour has considered closing the harbour and relinquishing its statutory duties to ensure it remains safe for users.

PKC's Finance and Resources Committee was this week told of a projected overspend of £70,000 for the harbour's operating costs. The figures were included within an update on PKC's 2024/25 General Fund Revenue Budget which went before the committee on Wednesday, September 20 for consideration.

Earlier this year PKC revealed it costs "approximately £7,000 a month" to keep the harbour open to commercial traffic and ensure it complies with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code.

This week Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett questioned the further delays and costs to the public purse.

Addressing the council's leader Grant Laing, Cllr Barrett said: "I know that you wrote to Transport Scotland at the end of August trying to seek clarity on what the timescale was for the consultation. And at the end of September they advised you they were in the final stages of the pre-consultation stage and the formal 42-day consultation would start as soon as possible; 56 days later can you tell me has that formal consultation period begun?"

The SNP council leader expressed his own frustration with the delay and pledged to write again to Transport Scotland.

Cllr Laing said: "I think across the chamber there is a frustration about the timescale that has been taken.

"The answer I am getting is that this is the first time they have ever closed a commercial port and there is not a set pathway to do this but that doesn't help if you are taking a month to respond to letters."

PKC's Business and Investment manager Serge Merone explained a request from Transport Scotland for more information had further delayed matters.

The senior council officer said: "As you mentioned, the council leader wrote to them. We had to send a few reminders to get an answer but we have had an answer.

"However the answer stated they were close to finalising the public notice which we need to begin consultation.

"Unfortunately, a few weeks later they sent another request for information which we had to answer. We sought an immediate meeting with them following that request and we have had a meeting and we're recovering the information they needed, and it should be sent to them this week.

"We hope this will help us to finalise public notice and start the consultation in December."

Cllr Laing offered "to write again stressing the frustration we have as a local authority and as a committee" and to let others sign the letter.

Cllr Barrett suggested also writing to Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Jim Fairlie who - in his role as minister for Agriculture and Connectivity - supports the Transport secretary.

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett said: "I am disappointed we are getting yet another last-minute request for more information and I realise there have been changes at senior level of personnel at Transport Scotland but it doesn't give me confidence about the way they're actually handling this.

"In addition to writing to Transport Scotland, I'd very happily sign a joint letter with you to Jim Fairlie to see what the minister can do to expedite this."

Cllr Laing said he was happy to do this.

Following the meeting a Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "We are continuing to work closely with Perth and Kinross Council officials to ensure their Perth Harbour Closure Order can move to the formal public consultation process."

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