Over-running work nightmare
Plans by Stirling Council for an embargo on other roadworks during the Kerse Bridge replacement hit a snag – on day one.
Council chiefs have put in place a number of traffic mitigation measures to help drivers facing diversions caused by the work and pledged not to start any new roadworks on affected routes until 2019 at the earliest.
But drivers having to contend with the start of restrictions on Kerse Road on Monday hit more roadworks at the junction of Goosecroft Road and Station Road.
Three-way traffic lights were in place at the busy junction opposite the railway station leading to lengthy traffic queues in all directions.
It emerged that work by a contractor on behalf of Scottish Water, due to be completed on Sunday, had overrun, leaving council officials furious.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We have placed an embargo on works to roads affected by Network Rail’s project at Kerse Road Bridge from Monday.
“I’ve had a few reports of concerns about traffic in Springkerse, particularly at the end of the working day. But we’re only three days into the partial closure and reacting to actual traffic rather than theoretical traffic changes.
“Network Rail need to keep an eye on everything and change what isn’t working when problems arise.”
With more motorists using the area, new zebra crossings have been installed in Braehead along with speed activated signs aimed at keeping pedestrians safe.
“Scottish Water required to replace a collapsed manhole in Goosecroft Road and had committed to complete this by Sunday evening.
“We are concerned that this deadline was not met and are investigating why work continued into Monday despite the roadworks embargo.”
Deputy Council Leader Danny Gibson was caught up in the traffic queues caused by the work as he made his way to Viewforth.
“The work caused havoc,” he said.
A drop-in session designed to give residents more information on the road closure took place at the Crawford Halls in Braehead last night (Tuesday) while a drop-in session for affected businesses will run in the Golden Lion Hotel tomorrow (Thursday) from 4pm to 7pm.
A full closure of the road will last from April 22 to October 31 to allow Network Rail to demolish and replace the road bridge ahead of the electrification of the Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa (SDA) line. “Kier Utilities, on behalf of Scottish Water, were allowed to be there on Sunday but should not have been there on Monday.
“They were repairing a collapsed drain but in doing so found some brick work which required to be repaired, but they had to wait for concrete to set before opening the road.
“I understand that but they should have been well aware of the moratorium on roadworks.”
An angry Councillor Gibson said he phoned both Scottish Water and Kier Utilities to make his feelings known, and received an apology for the overrunning work.
The road restrictions at GoosecroftRoad/Station Road were lifted by midday Monday.
A Scottish Water spokesman said: “It appears there has been a breakdown of communication between our contractor Kier and Stirling Council over permissions to work on the road after the repair overran.
“We will be conducting an investigation into the matter and would like to apologise to road users for any inconvenience caused.”