Painting the Queen’s Bridge railings

Nov 27 2009 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Editor, – I am indebted to Ian Gordon for his instructive letter on bridge painting.

The purpose of my letter which, no doubt because it dealt with a matter of some contention was expanded into an article, was simply to draw attention to the length of time the work was taking, which, to a layman with clean hands, appeared excessive.

I, with many others who, in an effort to reduce carbon footprints, walk to work, found it frustrating to do so, whilst suffering the inconvenience of the closed footpath on the bridge.

October was an excellent month of weather. The fourth of November was a weekday of good weather, when I noted, as I had often done, there was nobody to be seen on the bridge just before 9am – and it appeared no progress was being made.

Mr Gordon says five weeks were quoted to the council to complete each side. He says at the beginning of October his firm were instructed to start the south side. My recollection is that the footpath was closed on October 5. By the time the job is finished, which he anticipates should be by December 1, my calculation is that it will have taken nine weeks to complete this part of the contract.

Alastair H. Anderson, Perth.