Rethink calls over three-month A862 Dingwall - Cromarty Bridge road closure
THE proposed impending three-month closure of a section of a well-used Ross-shire road has sparked a furious reaction and prompted demands for a rethink.
Scottish Water wants to close a section of the A862 between Dingwall and Ardullie from Monday, July 7 as part of works to renew the water mains.
The lengthy proposed diversion via the Tore roundabout has stunned regular road users with the prospect of additional restrictions on the minor Old Evanton Road alternative, leaving at least one business fearing for its future.
Scottish Water and Highland Council will attend a meeting on the issue at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Evanton next Tuesday (June 17) at 7pm,
While most accept the need to upgrade burst-prone underground pipes, the full road closure - prompted after a site visit revealed insufficient space to allow for the expected traffic convoy system - at the height of summer has shocked many.
Local councillor John Edmondson said: “The communities and businesses affected have not been consulted so far at any stage.
“How is it that so late into a project, it is suddenly established that full road closures are required?
“There has already been a long and extended period of disruptive road closures on the Old Evanton Road, earlier in the year…preventing access between Dingwall and Evanton by local residents.
“Closing the Dingwall road, which is on the NC500 route, in the summer at the busiest time of year, illustrates to me that Scottish Water are only focussed on their business and not the wider communities they serve, despite their mission statement that declares that Scottish Water ‘recognises and values the needs of…communities’.”
He wants Scottish Water to rethink the scheduling and explore other routes for the mains, or other ways of working to ensure single file traffic is possible at certain times.
Kiltearn Community Council chairman John McHardy said locals are unhappy about the lack of consultation by both Highland Council and Scottish Water.
He believes the issue over road width and concerns about ground conditions should have triggered an assessment of alternative routes for the main that would be less disruptive to traffic flows.
Failing that, he believes a rolling-road-block or works undertaken between 8pm and 6am as on other routes could be considered.
Calling for a suspension of the traffic order meantime, he said: “We are talking about the day to day lives of Highland people as well as visitors who provide much-needed income to the area who do not need the extra inconvenience and cost of lengthy and time-consuming diversions, not to mention the potential risks associated with the likely alternatives to the sign posted diversion route.”
Kenneth McKenzie of the award-winning Highland Farm Cafe, which is on the Old Evanton Road, has already faced almost two months of disruption due to water pipe works on the route.
If that road was also closed for a full three months without maintaining local access “it would be a disaster for us”, he said, putting the livelihoods of up to 21 staff in jeopardy at the busiest time of year - equivalent to the “harvest” of the hospitality trade.
The cafe played a key role in keeping the local community supplied with food during the pandemic and has been recognised with awards for its green credentials.
Scottish Water said that for safety reasons, a full road closure between Dingwall and Ardullie is required.
It is anticipated the road will reopen on October 3.
It says a diversion route will be in place via the A9 and the Cromarty Bridge.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “Our operatives will work to reduce the impact and re-open the road as quickly as possible, but we understand this may affect journey times. We thank motorists for their patience while this work is carried out.”
She said the road was measured at several points and it was determined that there was insufficient width to accommodate the works along with the required safety zones and facilitate traffic through the working area.
“It’s possible the route of the new water main may vary depending on grounds conditions and may be towards the middle of the road in places. Again , there would not be sufficient space to allow vehicles to pass safely through the working area even with a convoy system”.
She said: “This was discussed with Highland Council Roads and the road closure was agreed to be the only option to allow the works to be carried out safely. The official diversion route down to the Tore roundabout will be fully signposted.
“We fully understand the inconvenience this closure may cause, and we will look at what we can do to try and complete the works as soon as possible. This will be dependent on what ground conditions we encounter when works begin.”
Highland Council did not respond to requests for a comment.
Scores of people took to our Facebook page to register their concerns and seek clarity.
One wrote: “I doubt the diversion will be followed, in the past most people found and used alternative routes (deliberately not mentioning these) which then lead to accidents and even more hold-ups.”
What’s your view? You can email us at newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
While you’re here…
Get the first year of a Digital+ subscription for £20, available to new subscribers using the promo code HECTORMACKENZIE. Benefits include: Unlimited access to articles on all HNM websites, the ad-free HNM App, access to every e-edition plus past paper catalogue going back over a year, access to all titles at HNM and exclusive subscriber events. Go to Subscribe on the website and follow the prompts.
