Work set to last until end of January
Cambusbarron residents said this week that work currently underway to install full fibre broadband infrastructure has thrown the village into chaos.
They pointed to poor communication from project leader CityFibre, road diversions and closures, lack of access to shops and curtailed bus services.
Work from Touch Road down Main Street at its junction with Murray Place, involving diversions and traffic lights, started in mid November. It continued with work on Main Street towards its junction with Birkhill Road and down Birkhill Road in December.
However, road closures on Main Street began this week from the junction at Mill Hill to the junction of Murray Place. And Main Street road closures - from Murray Place to the Birkhill Road junction – are set to continue from January 21 to 30.
Members of Cambusbarron Community Council last week met with CityFibre to urge them to modify this month’s programme of works following November and December’s disruption.
Cambusbarron Community Council chairperson Marion MacAllister said this week: “There has been a lack of communication and lack of respect. Not everyone received a leaflet through their door in November telling them about the work generally.
“Households were supposed to get a knock on the door from a CityFibre representative. That didn’t happen in many instances. And no road closures were mentioned at that point. We knew the pavement was being cut up and there would be inconvenience, but we didn’t know about road closures.
“When the diversion work started it caused a lot of difficulty for people going about their business, both retailers and residents, many of them elderly. But the work set for January – over 20 days– is too much for the village to cope with.
“There’s a great depth of feeling in the village about it.”
Mrs MacAllister added that notification of January 8 to 17 road closures came in an email from CityFibre dated December 10 when work was well underway – and she first heard of the second round of road closures from January 21 to 30 “accidentally” in an email dated December 28 from a Stirling Council official about bus diversions. News of more Main Street road closures, she said, came as “a considerable shock.”
She added: “We have been told all about the advantages of the broadband infrastructure, but what CityFibre fail to see is that the associated works are having a huge impact on a small community.”
At last Friday’s meeting CityFibre representatives were urged to look at the closures set to take place from January 21 again after the community council put forward alternatives.
Mrs MacAllister added: “CityFibre have made promises. They have said they will try to improve communication and will look at things again, as well as compensation for retailers seriously affected by the work.”
CityFibre’s city development manager for Stirling Elaine Doherty said this week: “We are working closely with community leaders, doing everything possible to minimise disruption to local residents and apologise for any inconvenience caused to those affected by road closures.
“As we roll out the new network, we will continue to abide by all council processes and keep residents updated on planned works.”
Stirling Council leader and Stirling west councillor Scott Farmer said this week: “I appreciate the community’s concerns here and share their frustrations on how these works will impact daily life. Thankfully the diversions are only temporary and our public transport team have been out speaking to residents who use the affected services to help spread the message.
“There will be more information in the coming weeks and months and we are working with CityFibre to improve communications and engagement with our communities as Fibre to the Home construction continues throughout Stirling.”
The work set for January - over 20 days - is too much for the village to cope with