Bridge replacement causes Pirnmill roadworks chaos
Residents and businesses in Pirnmill are becoming increasingly frustrated by the major roadworks in the centre of the village which are disrupting people’s lives.
Work to replace the main road bridge over the Allt Gobhlach burn have been going on since before Christmas and have been hit by a series of delays.
A temporary bridge has been installed with traffic lights but on occasions, a complete closure of the road is required.
Not only is this badly disrupting village life but it is badly affecting the trade of the Pirnmill village store and post office as customers have nowhere to park near the shop.
Owner Hazel Cranston has also had repeated problems with deliveries either not being made or abandoned.
“It really has been a nightmare,” she told the Arran Banner.
“I had hoped the work would have been finished to give us a fighting chance over Easter, but that is going to be the case now. It is ridiculous the length of time the work has taken and I have lost a lot of passing trade.”
Also affected is The Lighthouse Restaurant next door, which re-opens for the season today (Friday). Owner Andy Pattison said: “These roadworks have been going on since October and I thought they would have been finished before the season started. “We just have to let people know that despite the works Pirnmill is still open for business.”
A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “Bridge replacement works are ongoing over the Allt Gobhlach burn in Pirnmill as the existing bridge structure was assessed as no longer being fit for purpose.
“Because the C147 route, which the bridge carries, is critical for access to local people and the wider community, vehicle and pedestrian access across the burn has been maintained.
“This has been done through the construction of a 15m-long temporary single-lane steel bridge under one-way traffic to the west of the structure. Following completion of the permanent bridge structure, this will be removed. The pedestrian footbridge over the burn remains open for the duration of the work to allow access to local amenities, including the post office and shop.”