Verge hazard alarm after lorry tips over
Concern at 2ft gap by side of road
Residents in the Port of Menteith area this week pointed to the dangerous condition of the verges on the A873 road after a lorry tipped over on Monday morning.
The incident took place outside Rhynaclach Farm near Blairhoyle. Lorries carrying timber have been using the A873 in recent weeks to reach the A84.
It is not the first time that a timber lorry has gone off the road between Thornhill and Port of Mentieth in recent years; in February 2019 a lorry overturned and shed logs just yards from houses near the Bonnie Braes B&B.
Port of Menteith Community Council vice chairperson Sheena Makgill-Crichton said this week: “The road is above the verge by two feet in places. It is really dangerous.
“The lorry must have gone into the verge before tipping over on its side off the road. It would’ve happened about 10.30am, but it had been removed by the afternoon.
“It’s not the first time something like this has occurred. Cars can be damaged badly and tyres punctured because of the difference in height.
“On one occasion we put up some German tourists after their car went into the verge and their car hire company couldn’t do anything for them until the morning.
“Stirling Council did fix the verges a few years ago in places, but the aggregate material they used really wasn’t adequate. “It’s been a long-running problem.” Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl said this week: “There have been a number of incidents here since the much needed resurfacing was done some two years ago and Port of Menteith Community Council has raised it as an issue consistently. Although some work was carried out there are still large sections that need sorting.
“When safety issues like this are raised they need addressing or we are going to see more vehicles off the road and more disruption that could have been avoided.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We have received an enquiry regarding verges on the A873 and an inspection will be arranged as soon as possible.”
■Funding is available for timber transport projects aimed at minimising the impact of timber lorries on Scotland’s rural roads.
The majority of awards however are for minor B and C class and Unclassified roads.
Local authorities and landowners have until March 22 to submit proposals for timber transport projects to Scottish Forestry.
Successful applicants will receive money from the Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF). Work could include improving drainage systems, upgrading surfaces, passig places and additional traffic calming measures.