Road to re-open after outcry from traders
Outlets suffered crippling loss of business
Small businesses in a Bannockburn street are breathing a sigh of relief after a road closure was lifted to allow motorists to access shops.
Essential work to replace gas mains in Morrison Drive has been ongoing since the end of March. But the road closed completely on Monday, prompting an outcry from traders.
Businesses have seen takings plummet and residents have faced massive detours as a result of the closure.
The work involves replacing old, metal gas mains with new plastic pipe.
A full road closure was in place in Morrison Drive, between its junction with Queen Street and Ladywell Church.
The closure left drivers with a diversion that takes them towards St Ninians before doubling back along Glasgow Road on a more than two mile detour.
Local businesses say that they have been crippled by the works and what they call ‘poor traffic management’.
They met with the SGN project manager and council officials on Wednesday morning to plead their case for an alternative solution.
Business owners and residents successfully argued their case with SGN to re-think the closure.
SGN spokesperson Katie Lobban said: “We’ve been carrying out essential work to replace our gas network in Morrison Drive, Bannockburn.
“To ensure everyone’s safety, a road closure is in place between its junction with Queen Street and Ladywell Church. This has been planned with the local authority and a diversion route is in place for motorists.
“From Saturday, May 27, the road will be re-opened and traffic flow will be controlled with two-way temporary traffic lights to allow our engineers to work safely for the remainder of our project.”
Zia Ali, from GKR Foodstores, claims his takings have halved since the road closure. He said: “It’s understandable. It’s essential works, it is going to cause disruption, but there are ways to minimise disruption so that it’s impacting the least lives possible. It’s impacted everybody in the area in a bad way.
“I’m glad we’ve reached a solution. It’ll make everybody’s life easier – not just the businesses, which it’s crippling – it’ll make every resident’s life easier.
“Already this year all businesses have had pension schemes creeping in, they’ve had energy costs going up, the council have put business rates through the roof. I’m already considering site viability.”
Sai Cheng, from the Jade Garden Chinese takeaway, says that the closure will have a wider and longer lasting impact on his restaurant. He said: “I’ve always said that traffic lights were the best option.
“SGN workers get paid a yearly salary. For us, if we don’t get customers in we shut the shop and staff get laid off. It’s a knock-on effect for everybody.
“We’ve already had easily a 50 per cent downturn. Our delivery times were hitting up to an hour and that has a knock-on effect on the future of our business.”
Ian Wilson, who runs Ian Wilson Family Butchers, said: “I’ve been losing around £90 per day and I know my business is out there. It’s the locals that have been keeping me going. I’ve lost a fortune. It’s been badly run.
“The solution of the two-way traffic lights is just the best of a bad situation.”
Local resident Michael Fowler also said that he has been unable to get a bus anywhere near his home for more than a month due to a lack of buses being able to get down the street.
Bannockburn councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: “I’m hopeful that we have come up with a solution which will allow better access to local residents and local traders”.
It’s hoped that the work will be completed by mid-June.