Early 2020 hope for landslip road repairs
It’s hoped work to repair a stretch of road destroyed by a devastating series of land slips along the north shoreline of Loch Katrine will be completed early in the new year.
The route was badly damaged by 19 mud slides which were triggered following a period of torrential rain in August.
The single-track route, which is owned and maintained by Scottish Water, has been closed to cyclists and walkers between Stronachlachar to Portnellan since early November to coincide with the end of the regular sailing season.
It was shut for work on permanent repairs and debris removal to progress.
Scottish Water has been working with its principal contractor George Leslie and consultants to finalise the designs and plan the construction of the permanent repairs.
The proposed programme for the works is to have the repairs, from the start of the current road closure to the head of the loch at Glengyle, undertaken by the end of January, 2020.
To maintain access for residents, it’s proposed the second phase of the repairs, on the south side of the loch, from Stronachlachar Pier to the head of the loch, follows the work on the north shore.
This second phase is to be completed before the start of the full sailing season in March 2020, at which point Scottish Water would aim to have the road reopened for cyclists and walkers.
Writing to Stirling SNP MSP Bruce Crawford and Trossachs and Teith Tory councillor Martin Earl, Scottish Water corporate affairs manager, Ruaridh MacGregor, said:“You will appreciate with work of this scale and nature, the proposed dates come with some caveats.
“The condition of the hillside, although stable at the moment, is being kept under ongoing review and inspection by our consultants.
“Exceptional rainfall events may impact on slope stability and the ability to fully re-open the road.
“Weather may also impact on our completion dates. To date, the project has lost several days due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Snow and winter conditions in the coming months could also be a factor.“
Mr Crawford said:“As a result of the extensive damage caused by landslides in summer last year, these repairs have taken a few months to complete. However, business owners in the area will feel reassured that there is a short period left before Scottish Water is due to completely re-open the road to walkers and cyclists once again.”