Summit called over closure at Ballat Bridge
Traffic fears spark Scottish Water talks
A community council has called for an urgent meeting with Scottish Water over the impending three and a halfmonth closure of the A81 at Ballat Bridge, near Balfron Station.
The bridge was hit by the arm of an earthmover in September and requires major repair work.
Scottish Water have advised people living near the structure that the road is likely to be fully closed between mid-February and the end of May while the repairs are carried out.
That has sounded alarm bells, particularly in Aberfoyle area where there are the fears that the road closure will have a severe impact on residents travel and on businesses, particularly those linked to tourism.
Now Strathard Community Council, which covers the Aberfoyle, Kinlochard, Inversnaid and Stronachlachar areas, have requested an urgent meeting with Scottish Water to discuss the implications of the road closure.
They plan to invite Stirling councillors, MSP Bruce Crawford and representatives of other community councils in the area likely to be affected for the road closure. No firm date for the meeting has been arranged but it’s expected to take place in January.
Strathard Community Council chairman Fiona McEwan told the Observer that for Aberfoyle and surrounding villages the A81 was the main road from the south.
“At our last meeting, earlier this month, there were many expressions of concern about the length of the closure, which we feel is excessive, and we want to know whether the work is going to be done as fast as possible,” she added.
“There was also a lot of concern about signage on the proposed diversion routes. We want the signs to be as good as they can be to ensure that people can still get through to the area.”
She added: “From the point of view of local business, our economy like those of other destinations such as Callander, relies on visitors.
“The closure will be in place during Mother’s Day, Easter and the Spring Bank Holiday.
“In terms of tourists visiting the area, those are very popular times for us and other villages and towns in the area — sometimes more so than the summer. If we put up signs saying `road closed’ we’ve found that people will simply go elsewhere.”
Ms McEwan said they also wanted to query with Scottish Water why the road had to be fully closed when, several years ago, it remained partially open during a major refurbishment of the structure.”
Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl echoed the community council’s concerns and added: “The repairs needed to the bridge are complex and extensive but a prolonged closure of this main road is going to cause huge problems.
“The disruption to travel is bad enough but there will also be a significant effect on businesses right across the area.
“I would urge Scottish Water to consider this impact as a priority in their plans and to ensure the road is open for periods through the repair period, for example for the Easter Holiday period.”
The accident to the bridge happened when an articulated lorry carrying a giant earth mover was attempting to pass beneath the structure .
The “arm” of the JCB excavator hit the top of the bridge damaging steelwork and threatening pipes that run across the structure and carry water to homes in Glasgow from Loch Katrine, the city’s main water supply.
The water pipes were unaffected and the supply was not disrupted.
Following the accident, the road remained closed until earlier this month when it was partially reopened.
Scottish Water confirmed they had been invited to a meeting to discuss issues related to the repair of the bridge and the road traffic management required for the repair work.
A spokesman said the repair programme was being finalised but indications are that the road traffic management will be required from mid-February to the end of May.
Among community councils to be invited to the meeting are Arnprior, Balfron, Buchlyvie, Gartmore, Killearn, Port of Menteith, Strathblane