Villagers angry as repairs shut road

McLaren parents to face lengthy detour

Villagers reacted angrily to plans for the overnight closure of a trunk road near Lochearnhead next week.

Road maintenance firm Bear Scotland plans to shut the A85 at Glen Ogle, north of Lochearnhead, between 7pm on Thursday and 7am the following day.

Bear say the closure is necessary to complete resurfacing works and have set up a lengthy diversion via A84, A81, A811 and the A82. Drivers travelling from Crianlarich to Callander face a diversion via Tarbet, Balloch, Drymen and Aberfoyle,

But there have been complaints about the short notice given for the overnight road closure.

Residents say it will cause inconvenience to many people due to travel to an S4 parents’ evening at Callander scheduled for that date.

And there is concern the work could affect St Andrew’s Day events and the turnout at a Strathfillan Community Development Trust meeting due to take place in Crianlarich, also on the evening of November 30.

Trust chair Isla Craig said: “I find it hard to believe that Bear think it acceptable to close such a major road from as early as 7pm and with only one week’s notice to the affected communities.

“Historically road closures in the area have been few and far between and only ever took place between 10pm and 6am.”

She said that, with the parents’ evening taking place at McLaren, there would be a “significant” number of parents and pupils travelling between Callander and Crianlarich, Tyndrum or Killin after 7pm.

“To expect all of them to travel round the lengthy diversion via Balloch is unacceptable,” she added.

“The fact that Bear did not contact McLaren High to find out about any evening events planned before deciding upon a date suggests that they do not understand the way our community uses that road.”

Ms Craig said the community development trust would be holding its annual general meeting in Crianlarich that night.

She added: “As well as local members, we have invited several guests from outside Strathfillan, including all three councillors.

“Many of these guests will be travelling from Stirling, Callander or Strathyre and if the road closure goes ahead they will all need to take the long diversion to get home.”

Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl said: “Lack of notice for work such as this is not usually too much of a problem when lights or a convoy system are to be used but, given the huge diversion required, it does become a major issue when full closure is proposed.”

He called on Bear to reschedule the work unless it could be carried out without a full road closure.

A spokesman for Bear said they were consulting on the proposed closure and no final decision had been taken.

“We’re aware of the concerns regarding the planned closure, and we’ll provide their feedback to Transport Scotland before any decisions are made,” she added.

“Once a final decision about the works has taken place we’ll liaise with all relevant stakeholders to update them on the project and keep them fully informed.”

Given the huge diversion required, it does become a major issue