Long queues as route is shut off
Community councils worried by traffic
Kerse Road Bridge has reopened after five days of traffic disruption.
Motorists in Stirling city centre heading to Springkerse were directed on a lengthy diversion along the A91.
Delays were reported on other routes through the city, as drivers looked to shorten their journeys.
Particular problems were reported on Forthside Way and the road that runs alongside the railway tracks at the back of the Vue cinema, with drivers facing long queues at peak times.
Riverside Community Council’s Anne Graham said they had contacted Stirling Council over the traffic problems in the area.
“There has definitely been a great problem with traffic coming through Riverside and along Forthside Way,” she said.
“We have also asked them about having a look at the traffic lights at the Shore Road bridge. There have been cases where vehicles have had to stop in the middle of the junction if they are not getting through on the lights, and this could lead to accidents.”
The Kerse Road bridge shut for five days for investigation work to be carried out in preparation for May, when Network Rail will begin a 12-month project to replace the bridge ahead of railway line electrification.
The Observer has been inundated with comments on Facebook from people concerned about the impact of the works, and motorists have suggested removing the traffic islands on Forthside Way.
Mark Gow said: “The bollards past the cinema to Forth Street need to be removed to allow free flowing traffic.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “There was the anticipated increase in traffic flow on the alternative routes and the results from our traffic monitoring equipment put in place over the weekend will now be analysed and help inform the most appropriate and effective mitigation measures that may be expected for the potential main closure later in the year.
“We will consider how best to use both front and back roads at Forthside as part of these considerations, and it remains the case that Network Rail’s proposals are currently subject to decisions on a planning application and also a road closure request.”
There was also an increase in traffic in Braehead, with drivers and HGVs cutting along Linden Avenue.
Chairman of Braehead Community Council Chris Kane said: “In Braehead, as you would expect, we experienced a notable increase in traffic.
“Worryingly, we also noted more lorries than we hoped to see using the route (which already has a seven tonne limit on it).”
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford, along with SNP councillors Jim Thomson and Gerry McLaughlan, met with Network Rail on Monday to discuss any possible alternatives to closing the bridge for a year. He said: “I have asked Network Rail to investigate all options available and will be meeting with them again next month after the formal planning application has been submitted.”