Dismay over work barring access to town centre

Dublane residents and businesses hit out last week when works closed access to the town centre.

Motorists were unable to reach shops and services due to the work.

It had involved the removal of cycle lane markings on the B8033 northbound between the traffic lights and the four ways roundabout as well as accompanying traffic management.

Residents and traders had expressed frustration over the situation and following complaints the work was halted.

The road was fully reopened by noon.

Council officers attended the meeting of Dunblane Community Council on Wednesday evening and apologised for “mistakes” that had been made.

Dunblane Community Council Terence O’byrne said this week: “The traffic management plan on the B8033 last Tuesday morning (February 28) was flawed and ill thought out.

“It closed access to the High St, Millrow and the railway station. These works were planned for four days.

“How the council thought that they could close our High St, car park and access to the rail station for four days is incomprehensible.

“No specific details were provided to traders or residents that the High St would be closed. “This is unacceptable.

Council officers attended the community council meeting on Wednesday, they apologised for the serious traffic management mistakes made and for the closure of the High St.

“They assured us that before any further work is done that the community council and traders will be consulted to ensure that all the mistakes made on Tuesday will not be repeated.”

Owner of the Riverside pubrestaurant and coffee house Stuart

Riddle said: “Staff couldn’t get to the building, suppliers couldn’t get to the building and customers couldn’t get to the building. It’s beyond me how anyone could have signed this plan off.”

Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache said this week: “I saw for myself the effects of the closure of Beech Rd and the High St with no access to the railway station or Millrow.

“Traders were very upset. They could not get vital deliveries, and residents dependent on transport were unable to get to the shops.

“The work in the B8033 was stopped after three hours following my request to council officers.

“The work on the cycle lanes will be restart after consultations with the community council and others.

“It is very important to get this right to encourage cycling and the promised dedicated cycle lane from Dunblane to Bridge of Allan cannot come soon enough.”

A Stirling Council spokesperson said this week: “Council officers attended the Dunblane Community Council meeting on Wednesday evening (1 March) to apologise and explain that improvements will be put in place to ensure that a similar situation does not occur in future.”