River Blackwater, Perthshire
Paddler issues at Netherton Village Egress
An egress point has been used for many years downstream of the road bridge at Netherton, where paddlers climb up steps on the riverbank, and exit on to a road via a small field. This is provided by the local estate owner, Richard Wilson, and relationships have been good for many years, and the steps have been renovated twice by the SCA.
This provision relies on sympathetic parking in the small village, and there have been changes recently due to a higher population there, and many more people working from home.
Parking of vehicles cannot be allowed both near to the bridge, and also in front of the nearby house (Mill Cottage). Parking is free and plentiful about 100m up the road where the roadway is slightly wider and there is no grass verge (known locally as the lay-bye), and is opposite the field after the church.
Parking near to the bridge blocks a passing place where tractors and trailers wait for the bridge to be clear, and next to Mill Cottage is intrusive (they have a No Parking sign up now).
The new residents of Mill cottage have no problem with paddlers, but have been disturbed by paddlers parking, and changing in front of them, and also drying gear on their garden wall.
Please change and pick up boats by momentary stopping.
It is hoped that good relationships can be kept up, as local people enjoy seeing paddlers on their local river.