The extension will take approximately 10 weeks in total to complete, according to Perth and Kinross Council.

Fourteen additional car parking spaces will be created as a result, in response to local community requests for increased parking provision in the town.

To minimise disruption to businesses and residents, the works will be carried out in three consecutive phases:

• Phase 1: laying a new surface water drainage pipe from the car park extension area through the nearby private car park to Ruthven Street. Some parking bays will be reserved for affected residents while the private car park is out of use. A road closure and suspension of parking and loading on Ruthven Street will be in place during these works, which are scheduled to take two weeks.
• Phase 2: construction of the car park extension, which will take approximately six weeks to complete and involve completion of the rest of the surface water drainage, road and pavement construction and rebuilding the masonry walls around the site.
• Phase 3: removal of the construction site compound and resurfacing of the existing car park and the pavement adjacent to the Crown Inn pub, which is expected to take two weeks to complete and will require a four-day full closure of the car park during this time for resurfacing works.

Pedestrian and emergency service vehicle access will be maintained throughout. Waste collection services will also be granted access, so bins should be presented as normal.

Recycling containers in the car park will be temporarily relocated during the works to the recycling centre near the Auchterarder Community Sports and Recreation centre on Western Road.

Councillor Andrew Parrott, convener of environment, infrastructure and economic development, welcomed the works, saying: “While there will be some temporary disruption during the extension of the Crown Inn Wynd car park, this will be balanced by the increase in parking spaces in Auchterarder.

“Providing adequate car parking capacity remains important in rural areas where public transport is limited and there is a greater reliance on use of the private car. I am pleased that we are able to take forward this project ahead of the busy festive season and benefit residents, visitors and businesses alike.”