‘Repair work standstill is crippling us’
Farmer facing soaring fuel costs
Businesses and farmers facing soaring fuel costs because of 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 near the village, was shut in March last year over safety fears when it was discovered that the structure could collapse. That left farmers and HGV drivers facing a 19-mile diversion.
Now, fourteen months on, the bridge remains closed as efforts to restore the overpass to its former glory appear to have ground to halt.
In May 2021, we told how the bridge had partially collapsed back in March but consultants for Stirling Council feared that a further collapse was likely, resulting in a full closure.
That meant that lorries looking to head along the route, between Balfron and Fintry, had to divert via Buchlyvie, Arnprior and Kippen.
Vehicles trying to access one farm along the B818 – Claylands – faced an almost 19-mile diversion to access the property.
Repair work began back in November last year and Stirling Council estimated that the programme of repairs would be completed by early April. However, last month we told how the programme of repairs had been hit by delays, pushing the completion date back to late June.
Last week, the farmer from Claylands, Alastair Nicolson voiced his concerns over work after discovering the site deserted.
The frustrated farmer took to social media to say: “No one working on it as they are redesigning the repair, despite nine months of being told the repair was being designed. This is a main route for businesses, school bus route and our local community. In winter the excuses included weather, yet now in perfect conditions still no progress.
“The environmental impact of this is unmeasurable, miles and miles of extra fuel every single day and the financial impact on local businesses simply cannot continue without anyone taking responsibility.
“No one will take responsibility and resolve this issue.”
Balfron Community Council have also raised concerns over the time taken to conduct the repair and say that the hold up is continuing to hamper traders in the region. Chairman Colin Cameron said: “The delay in opening the bridge continues to be extremely frustrating for local residents and hugely damaging to the affected businesses in the area. We understand that it is a very complex project, but the lack of regular updates from the council is contributing to rumour and uncertainty. The affected communities deserve more transparency than they are currently getting.”
A spokesperson for Stirling Council this week said: “Our contractor has faced significant challenges at this site due to the complexity of the project, and we aim to have the works complete as soon as is practicable. We are beginning meetings this week with local businesses and residents directly affected by the works to update on progress.”