Councillors approve route for world cycling event in Perth and Kinross

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Perth and Kinross is preparing to host thousands of the world's top cyclists in August as part of the biggest cycling event in history.The Gran Fondo Road Race is part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cycling Championships taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland this August.Councillors voted to approve the route despite concerns it could cause major disruption on a busy holiday weekend.Perth and Kinross Council's Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee was recommended to approve hosting the road race event on Friday, August 4.The Gran Fondo Road Race will start and finish on Perth's North Inch going through Central and Highland Perthshire.At Monday's meeting Depute Provost Andrew Parrott called on organisers "to work hard to mitigate and minimise" disruption to local residents and businesses.This followed a deputation from Provost Xander McDade who raised concerns about major road closures around Pitlochry and Aberfeldy and access to the doctors' surgery in Aberfeldy.The Independent Highland Perthshire councillor said: "It's a working day.

People need to get to work and to the doctor's."Bailie Claire McLaren who represents Strathtay ward said locals were not just worried about the route combined with planned roadworksfor the Cross Tay Link Road but a contingency plan if there was an accident on the A9 and traffic needs diverted.She said: "There is a strong potential that could occur on such a busy weekend of tourism traffic outwith a large event coming to our area."Organiser Malcolm Smith said: "We will be looking at what options are available to us."PKC's head of Environmental and Consumer Services Mark Butterworth added: "There will be a safety advisory group that will involve