Council U-turn over road repair project

Aberfoyle work delayed until after tourist season

Roadworks due on a stretch of road near Aberfoyle have been postponed until after the tourist season.

Planned work on the A821 had been scheduled to take place in May but it was later postponed until the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Now the resurfacing has been pushed back once more after traders in the village voiced their concerns over the potential impact of the major works during a busy spell.

The latest postponement has also sparked concerns, with one resident fearing the work could be shelved permanently.

William Jardine, who owns a 1937 MG Tickford, believes the poor road surface could inflict damage on other classic motors.

He says the stretch between Port of Menteith and the Rob Roy Hotel has to be fixed as a matter of urgency.

Mr Jardine said: “Council workers have been out and put up the signs that the works are going to start twice. Twice they have come back and taken the signs back down again and I’ve been told that the money is to be used elsewhere.

“The businesses don’t want the road closed.

“We would normally get other classic car clubs and owners travelling up here to the Trossachs from all over but I’m now advising them against that.

“With the state of the roads there’s a real possibility that it could damage the classic cars.

“When the signs went up I was the happiest guy in the world. I just hope that they are fixed before the end of the year because you know how bad the roads can get during the winter.”

Peter Sunderland of Gartmore House, chairman of the Aberfoyle Traders group, said: “The Ballat Bridge was shut for a considerable period and if they decided to close the other road then you’re dead in the water.

“They rescheduled the work for the Bank Holiday weekend, which turned out to be a bonanza of a week for us.

“It would have made little sense to most of the business in Aberfoyle to do the works that particular weekend. You wouldn’t sweep your chimney on Christmas Eve.

“We would like to see the road works carried out but at a time when it will have little impact.”

Stirling Council stressed that the works have been postponed, rather than cancelled, after it listened to the concerns of traders.

A spokesman added: “The business community expressed major concerns about the impact of work being carried out during a peak time for summer trade so soon after the Aberfoyle area had faced a series of other road closures.

“The decision was made to reschedule our resurfacing work on the A821 to try and give Aberfoyle a period of uninterrupted access.

“We’d like to reassure residents that there is absolutely no question of this work not being carried out.

“Around £40,000 has been earmarked for resurfacing and we are working with the community to pinpoint a week that we can do this before the end of March.

“People using the A821 are encouraged to report any potholes they have particular concerns about and temporary repairs will be undertaken until this resurfacing work can be carried out.”

Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl said: “This was a difficult decision but the businesses in Aberfoyle have been taking a big hit for a long time and need all the help they can get.

“It was unfortunate that the rescheduled works were put in for the Bank Holiday week and have had to be moved again but they will get done. I have been promised this by the roads service.

“What we need is an agreement that certain routes just cannot be worked on during the visitor season.”

We would like to see the road works carried out but at a time when it will have little impact