CTLR At Work In Your Community
The Community Benefits Team for CTLR carry out projects large and small across the Perth & Kinross area each and every month. From donations of goods and services to organising and assisting with volunteers and hands-on help, their goal is to leave a positive and lasting impact throughout the life of the project, and beyond.
This work is often specific, such as visiting schools, inspiring the next generation of engineers and organising site tours for a wide array of organisations. You can read about this on our articles here:
However, they also contribute to a myriad of local projects which we've captured here to inspire you to think about how you and the people around you can get involved to bring benefit to your own community.
Jillian Ferguson, Roads Infrastructure Manager commented, "The premise of using public spending to make Perth and Kinross a better place to live, work and do business, has been an integral part of the Perth Transport Futures planning since its inception.
"Centring our ambitions around the guidelines laid out in Perth and Kinross Offer, we are determined to help and support more vulnerable members of our communities through charitable work and donations, and to build upon the project ethos by aiding projects focused on improving public spaces and delivering environmental gains. The reach, by its nature, is wide and inclusive."
CTLR Team At Work In The Community
- Wetlands Artist Louise Kirby at Appletree Nursery, 17/7/24
- Wetlands Community Artwork Day, 3/7/24
- CHAS Highland Coo Trail Assistance, 21/6/24
- Muthill Community Council Arial Footage, 20/6/24
- Luncarty Football Club, 5/6/24
- Parkdale Care Home grounds clear up, 3/6/24 and 4/6/24
- Bird and Bat boxes out on site, 1/6/24
- RDM Primary School Outdoor Classroom, 29/4/24 - Read More >
- The Big Hoose Sandbank Donations, 16/4/24
- Luncarty Community Steps, 28/3/24
- Easter Egg Donations to Foodbank, 21/03/24
- Sponsorship of Scone FC Football Strips, 27/02/24
- Social Flock Donations of clothing, 20/2/24 - Read More >
Wetlands Artist Louise Kirby at Appletree Nursery, 17/7/24
This week, Louise Kirby, the artist commissioned to deliver the Wetlands Community Art Project as part of the CTLR build, met with the curious and bright little minds at Apple Tree Nursery, Perth. Focusing on wildlife, flora and fauna, Louise led the children on a journey of creativity and discovery using open-ended questions to explore the children’s ideas and interests.
The children enjoyed the freedom to mark make and imagine themselves as different animals and insects by imitating them while moving around the garden and were encouraged to create their own stories, pathways and patterns using their animal or insect of choice on paper.
Visual aids inspired descriptive language and words throughout and the children were provided with a variety of interesting tools to explore their imaginations further - and more importantly, to have fun!
Jo Machray, Appletree Nursery Director commented "The children were thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the session. Louise was incredibly engaging with the children and the team. From stamping with ink to movement and exploring outdoors, chalk drawing to jumping like a frog, story telling of bears and ducks to bug hunting under logs. The children are very excited to see some of their ideas and conversations come to life!"
Wetlands Community Artwork Day, 3/7/24
Visual artist and designer, Louise Kirby, has been commissioned by the Cross Tay Link Road project to create a permanent artwork for the Wetlands.
Wetlands are an important part of new infrastructure, helping to transform or remove various pollutants as well as providing a new ecological habitat by attracting wildlife, and providing a source of food. Inspired by vibrant habitats brimming full of wildlife and flora and fauna that the new wetlands hope to attract, Louise's artwork will offer pausing points along the path network, to help people stop and take notice of the birds, animals, bugs and beasties to be found at different times of day or different seasons.
Local families were offered the opportunity to join in a creative workshop where they were invited to draw from the wildlife, flora and fauna from around the area. This free, hands-on event allowed parents, carers and children to take part in collaborating with Louise and other participants in the group.
Louise commented, "Everyone really enjoyed the day and we finished with a wonderful, creative array of stamping, drawing and collage in lots of colours. It has certainly offered lots of inspiration for the Wetlands artwork - I can't wait to get going on the final piece!"
CHAS Highland Coo Trail Assistance, 21/6/24
CHAS (Children's Hospices Across Scotland) contacted us to request assistance building wooden display plinths for their Highland Coo Trail which features 30 highland cow sculptures across a 10-week art trail of discovery for local people.
BAM provided wood and materials, reusing and recycling marine ply from the CTLR project where possible, and this was added to by Frazer Civils, Keyline and Timber Materials. The Danny Sullivan Group paid Ross Nelson at local Perth Joinery company Blackwood Joinery Ltd in Lower Friarton, Perth for the build.
Painted by artist Adriana de Matos, the CTLR sponsored Coo is named Night-time Woodland and you can find her in the Beatrix Potter Gardens, Birnam. We may be a little biased, but she's our favourite of the whole trail!
Download the App and complete the trail this summer.
Muthill Community Council, 20/6/24
Muthill Village Trust requested assistance via the PKC Wish List to set out along the first phase of the cycle path being built between Muthill and Crieff.
Sub contractor, Broadwing Media, provided drone footage, 3D images and fly through GPS. Alongside this, Allan Limerick and Aine Hanlon of BAM used GPS equipment to plot and peg out the route, and in doing so, provided practical support marking out the footpath and bridge, and sections of cycle path adjoining it. Technical advice on the merits and effectiveness of PKC preferred options for painting galvanised steel elements of the bridge structure concluded the work.
Nick James of Muthil Community Council commented, "The flythrough footage and still photos look excellent - thank you. This will be very helpful in supporting our engagement with land owners, public and funders."
Luncarty Football Club, 5/6/24
Luncarty Football Club approached the Community Benefits Team with a request to resurface the Car Park at the club, including the bellmouth entrance, and to renew the white lines.
Work included filling in potholes, providing new type 1 over the area not being tarred, resurfacing a significant area of the car park, and providing two new disabled bays. They also upgraded and extended the current footpath and its surface, and carried out an upgrade on the unsafe steps, laying fresh concrete and timber to secure them.
As well as personnel from BAM UK & Ireland, sub contractors as follows all contributed their expertise, materials or time:
- Contraflow – Traffic Management
- E&J Douglas – Road Planning
- Beattie FRC – Plant and labour
- Breedons – Asphalt and aggregates
- Markon – White lining works
Parkdale Care Home grounds clear up, 3/6/24 and 4/6/24
As part of the CTLR wider Community Benefits Programme, the team invited contractors and local people to help clear the Parkdale Care Home garden during Volunteers' Week 2024.
Led by a ten strong team of BAM, PKC and sub contractors, tasks include clearing and jet washing the footpath, clearing vegetation, weeding the raised beds, weeding the grounds, and clearing old bushes and trees. As well as this, the expertise on hand allowed us to line mark a new parking area, remove an old hardstanding path and placing stone, and create areas suitable for wheelchair and residents access.
With thanks to the following volunteers:
- Julie Lee and Kevin Smith from Waterman Aspen Engineering
- Tony McHenry, the Care Home Handyman, who came along on his days off
- Gavin Lowrey from the Danny Sullivan Group
- Sam Morris and Euan Pratt From Veneskey Brown
- Amanda McClintock, Ronnie Carr, Katy McClintock, Calum Flett, John Slaven, Derek Walsh and Dale from BAM UK & Ireland
- Sarah Gardener from PKC
- Gillian Mackie and Fiona Moore from the HART team who gave a hand sweeping up on their lunch break, Grant Taylor the on-duty Handyman, and the Parkdale catering team who supplied all volunteers with home made lunch.
In addition to the people on the ground, we must thank PMD Ltd who donated 7 tonne of marble gravel, HIS Ltd who gave discount on tools required for the job, and Speedy Services who supplied free rental of two Industrial power washers.
Lynsay Lwanyaga, Care Home Manager, commented, “Thank you for your support over Volunteers' Week. The residents in the red unit enjoyed watching you all at work and a few residents have had a wander around outside, noticing the difference you have made. Some of the areas were looking a bit weary but have been given a new lease of life!”
Bird and Bat Boxes Out On Site, 1/6/24
Bird & Bat Boxes painted and decorated by families attending the Community Open Days in October 2023 and April 2024 were distributed throughout the site by Environmental Officer, Philip Hemborough from HED Ltd. Carefully placed to ensure they become safe, secure homes for local birds and bats, this project is a small part of the conservation strategy aimed at ensuring the positive impact of the CTLR project extends beyond the life of the build
Once construction is complete, families can enjoy the walk ways and access routes. Will you spot your box?
Winners of our painting competition are:
- Bird Box – Paige Age 5
- Bat Box – Abbey Age 8
RDM Primary School Outdoor Classroom, 29/4/24
Robert Douglas Memorial (RDM) Primary School in Scone is the most recent organisation to benefit from the ongoing programme of social value and community benefit works as part of the Cross Tay Link Road project.
Michelle Jamieson, an RDM Parent Council representative, and Lynne Lambert, Head Teacher at RDM, contacted the CTLR project in summer 2023, with a request to help enhance the school's outdoor space. A new seating area with permanent wooden gazebo, and a full refurbishment of their jungle gym play area was officially handed over on 29th April, 2024. Read more about this project >
The Big Hoose Sandbank Donations, 16/4/24
As our chosen charity over April 2024, many of PKAVS projects have benefitted from CTLR support. The Big Hoose Project supports children and families in Perth & Kinross living in poverty by offering free access to everyday household items such as toilet rolls, toiletries, cleaning products, bedding and more. Unfortunately, their storage containers situated at the Shore Road are prone to flooding and they placed a request with us for sandbag sourcing. Step forward CTLR sub contractor, HIS, and a donation of sandbags to our Open Day which were then passed directly to PKAVS for use at The Big Hoose. Many thanks to Ian Young at HIS.
Paul Paterson, Big Hoose Cooridnator commented, "Thank you for donating the sandbags to the PKAVS Big Hoose Project, this really allows us to ensure the stock is safe and helps us to allocate funding to where it needs to be."
Luncarty Community Steps, 28/3/24
One of a number of PKC Wishlist items to be carried out via CTLR, this project involved repairing and resurfacing the Luncarty Park Steps, ensuring the are safe and fit for purpose for all members of the community. CTLR sub contractor Breedons supplied the concrete free of charge, and main contrator, BAM UK & Ireland, supplied the labour.
Councillor Baillie Claire McLaren, representing the Strathtay Ward commented, "On behalf of the many users of Langlands Park I would like to thank BAM for their generous refurbishment of the steps accessing the park area. This will give many residents of Luncarty an easier and safer access to the grass area and the convenience store across from the Park. Thank you."
Easter Egg Donations to Foodbank, 21/03/24
Through the collective effort of everyone in the office, the CTLR project gathered an impressive 164 chocolate Easter Eggs to donate to Perth & Kinross Foodbank. On March 21st, Amanda McClintock, Cross Tay Link Road Office Manager, had the privilege of delivering the Eggs to Laurie Hughes of Perth Foodbank. These Easter treats will soon be distributed to individuals and families who rely on the foodbank's services, spreading joy and sweetness during the school break.
Amanda commented, "Witnessing the impact of our collective contribution was truly inspiring, and highlighted the power of compassion and teamwork."
Laurie Hughes, Perth Foodbank commented, "Thanks to the generosity of Cross Tay Link Road, we are able to spread the joy of Easter to those facing hardship in our community. Their donation of 164 chocolate eggs will bring smiles to many faces and remind them that they are not forgotten. Together, we are making a difference, one sweet gesture at a time."
Sponsorship of Scone FC Football Strips, 27/2/24
The CTLR Community Benefits team are proud to be the main sponsor for Scone Thistle Under 17’s for the 2024 season. Jim Elliott, team coach, was thrilled to accept a donation for £500 which allowed the purchase of the new football strips.
Social Flock Donations of clothing, 20/2/24
Following a clothing drive amongst the team and sub-contractors working on the Cross Tay Link Road Project, Innes Mackintosh, Stakeholder and Communications Manager for BAM UK & Ireland, handed over a sizeable donation of preloved garments to Rachael Esdale, Founder and Chair of the Board of Social Flock, the community clothing initiative based in High Street, Perth.
Receiving the parcels, Rachael commented, “Thank you to the team for their wonderful donations of clothing. We will use these to provide emergency clothing packs for the community of Perthshire.” Read more about this great project