Extra fuel costs on19-mile diversion

Businesses and farmers facing soaring fuel costs because of a lengthy diversion around a 14-month-long bridge closure could be crippled if it does not reopen soon.

These are the fears of one local farmer who says there has been little work carried out at Branshogle Bridge, near Balfron, in recent weeks.

The bridge, on the B818, was shut in March last year over safety fears, leaving drivers with a 19-mile diversion.

Farmer Alastair Nicolson said: “The environmental impact of this is unmeasurable, miles and miles of extra fuel every single day...’’

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