Tulloch Avenue in Dingwall to close to through traffic due to road resurfacing for 12 days
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Major work to one of the main link roads through Dingwall will see Tulloch Avenue be totally closed to through traffic including buses for almost two weeks as the road surface will be torn up and replaced.
The original plans to resurface the road were delayed for months after Scottish Water closed another major artery in the west end of the town but now work will start to tear up and relay the whole length of the road and some junctions
Previously Mill Street was closed for three months prompting significant tailbacks – though that was for essential work on the sewer between its junctions with Millcraig Road and Wyvis Terrace.
In a letter, the council advised residents to expect some delays “as they negotiate the roadworks” but the work makes “the road impassable for through traffic” and “there will be no bus services” but pedestrian access will continue unabated.
Tulloch Avenue connects Craig Road – the main route east – with Old Evanton Road and is the main vehicle access point and drop off for both Dingwall Academy, the library and the sport centre.
There will also be significant disruption in the area for vehicles trying to access the saw mill, pupils and parents of Dingwall Primary as well as those going to Tulloch Castle.
The letter also warned residents that work would start at 08.00 on July 10 and continue until July 22 with expected hours of operation anticipated as 07.30 to 18.00 and during that time the road would be “impassable” to through traffic.
But some residents, though welcoming the work on the disintegrating route, have expressed other concerns that the work may be too superficial and will not address the underlying structural faults.
Officers say that the road will be dug down to a depth of 260mm – which is deeper than most work that has happened recently in Ross-shire’s country town – but questions remain whether that is enough.
A council spokeswoman acknowledged that those concerns were not without merit and given the road was not strong enough for the volume of traffic it is possible “further sections could fail over the next few years.”
She said: “The underlying cause appears to be that the existing road pavement isn’t strong enough to take the weight from the volume of traffic using the route, particularly the number of heavy vehicles.
“The works we are about to undertake are aimed at addressing the parts of the road pavement which have already failed. This should restore the condition of the road and the repairs themselves are intended to last long term. However, that is not to say that further sections could fail over the next few years.
“The repair strategy has been discussed for some time and a decision taken that it is less disruptive to residents and the public to repair the obvious problems now rather than renewing the whole road pavement in one go – a job that could take months and lead to major disruption.”
In a letter to residents the council stated: “The council are preparing to carry out road reconstruction works at Tulloch Avenue. The work will involve removing the existing road surface for a depth of 260mm, which will make the road impassable for through traffic.
“The road will be closed for public use and there will be no bus services along the road between Craig Road and Old Evanton Road. Access for resident's vehicles will be maintained though they will be subject to minor delay as they negotiate the roadworks.
“The work will be undertaken by our contractor and will commence at approximately 8am on Monday, 10th July. It is expected the work will take two weeks and finish on Saturday 22nd July.
“Please allow for possible short delays if planning journeys into or out of Tulloch Avenue during the above period. Pedestrian access will be maintained and will not be subject to delay.”
It added: “If you are uncertain about anything on site, please feel free to speak with the contractor's staff.”
