Stirling Council has pledged to improve communication with local businesses cut off by road closures.
At a recent full meeting of Stirling Council, independent councillor Robert Davies asked environment and housing convener Councillor Jim Thomson what efforts were being made to lessen the impact on traders - and to keep them in the loop.
Councillor Davies said: “Repairs to roads are vital to maintaining the road network, however, in rural areas it is sometimes necessary to close the road in order to execute the task.
“This can have extremely adverse effects on businesses that rely on passing traffic for trade.
“A recent example was a cafe on the A809 where revenue suddenly dropped 80 per cent when the road was closed. This left the owners with too much stock and too many staff and huge losses as a consequence.
“While the closure was notified through the usual channels this business, and many others, were unaware of the impending closure and therefore could not make plans for the sudden change in business conditions.
“This is particularly difficult as the hospitality trade is struggling to recover from the damage effects of the Covid lockdown.”
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Councillor Thomson said road closure notices were sent to councillors and local community councils and also advertised in advance of works commencing.
However, he said the roads service appreciate the concerns raised.
“I can confirm they are investigating new ways of engaging with communities and businesses when our road closures are likely to impact on daily business activities,” added Councillor Thomson. “This will include contacting affected businesses directly at the works planning stage.
“In the report in September 2020 to environment and housing committee we committed that community engagement would be undertaken with the affected communities when works are proposed for the 12, 24 and 36-month programme.
“The service will look to consult with local communities on how best to engage and communicate works. At a minimum we committed that the work programme would be distributed to local elected members, community councils and businesses. Also individual advance notices and road signage would be displayed on site.
“The full implementation of this has been disrupted due to Covid and staff absences.”
Councillor Davies welcomed the commitment but said he would like “something more concrete”.
“I appreciate councillors are informed but it’s not up to councillors to inform local businesses.
“This particular road has been affected by road closures by Stirling Council, East Dunbartonshire Council and most recently the collapse of the Catter Burn bridge and this has put enormous pressure on local businesses.
“Can we arrange a meeting between Stirling Council and local businesses to discuss the unprecedented challenges they are facing. Also as a short-term measure can we consider a temporary bridge at Croftamie?”
Councillor Thomson said that, given the bridge which required repair was not an A listed structure, it should be made simpler. While he added that, without seeing a site survey he was unable to make a fire commitment, he did want to ‘fast track’ that.
The meeting heard said the roads service was currently going through a procurement process in order to appoint a contractor for repair work to the subsiding road on the A811 at the Endrick Bridge junction, with works potentially commencing in November 2021.
Councillor Jeremy McDonald asked when repairs to the Cardross Bridge on the B8034 would be carried out.
Councillor Thomson said: “Earlier this year the Scottish Government announced additional capital funding of £32million for local bridge maintenance. A bid of £305,000 was submitted to works on the Cardross Bridge. The Scottish Government are currently assessing the applications submitted to the fund and will notify us of the outcome shortly.”
