Underpass road war
Tractor and car collide
A “secret” underpass used by locals as a shortcut to avoid traffic jams has been driving farmers round the twist.
And it has led to angry exchanges as commuters try to use the route underneath the A77.
Last week it lead to an incident between a tractor and a car at the underpass at East Sanquhar Farm.
The tractor’s tyre came into contact with the car, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
The route is used by folk in St Quivox to get on to the A77 northbound when the Whitletts roundabout is busy.
Locals say it is also used as a shortcut by emergency services.
But this week it was confirmed the underpass – high enough to take a combine harvester – is not a recognised car route.
It was built in 2002 when the dual carriageway above had its central reservation sealed off.
Fa r m e r D o n a l d Cuthbertson, who has farmed East Sanquhar for 40 years, said: “It is for farm vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians only.
“The gates should really be shut but people would glue the locks and it means every time we use it, we have to open and shut them.
“We have fields on both sides of the road and everyone thinks they can use the underpass too.
“It is private land with a public right of way and when Auchincruive college was in full swing, it was busy with walkers and cyclists.”
There is clear council No Entry signs stating it is for farm vehicles only.
Seven years ago the route was changed by the Scottish Government from footpath only to path and cycleway.
This week Transport Scotland confirmed vehicles cannot use the underpass.
A spokeswoman said: “Our operating company, Scotland Transerv, has confirmed the underpass is a public right of way for cyclist and pedestrians.
“There is no right of access for vehicles as it was constructed for farm agricultural use only.
“The underpass links on to East Sanquhar Farm access road which is a private access road.”