Businesses and farmers facing soaring fuel costs because of lengthy diversion around a 14-month-long bridge closure could be crippled if it does not reopen soon.
These are the fears of one local farmer who says there has been little work carried out at Branshogle Bridge, near Balfron, in recent weeks.
The Bridge, on the B818 near the village, was shut in March last year over safety fears when it was discovered that the structure could collapse. That left farmers and HGV drivers facing a 19-mile diversion.
Now, fourteen months on, the bridge remains closed as efforts to restore the overpass to its former glory appear to have ground to halt.
In May 2021, we told how the bridge had partially collapsed back in March but consultants for Stirling Council feared that a further collapse was likely, resulting in a full closure.
That meant that lorries looking to head along the route, between Balfron and Fintry, had to divert via Buchlyvie, Arnprior and Kippen.
Vehicles trying to access one farm along the B818 – Claylands – faced an almost 19-mile diversion to access the property.
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Repair work began back in November last year and Stirling Council estimated that the programme of repairs would be completed by early April. However, last month we told how the programme of repairs had been hit by delays, pushing the completion date back to late June.
Last week, the farmer from Claylands, Alastair Nicolson voiced his concerns over work after discovering the site deserted.
The frustrated farmer took to social media to say: “No one working on it as they are redesigning the repair, despite nine months of being told the repair was being designed. This is a main route for businesses, school bus route and our local community. In winter the excuses included weather, yet now in perfect conditions still no progress.
“The environmental impact of this is unmeasurable, miles and miles of extra fuel every single day and the financial impact on local businesses simply cannot continue without anyone taking responsibility.
“No one will take responsibility and resolve this issue.”
Balfron Community Council have also raised concerns over the time taken to conduct the repair and say that the hold up is continuing to hamper traders in the region. Chairman Colin Cameron said: “The delay in opening the bridge continues to be extremely frustrating for local residents and hugely damaging to the affected businesses in the area. We understand that it is a very complex project, but the lack of regular updates from the council is contributing to rumour and uncertainty. The affected communities deserve more transparency than they are currently getting.”
A spokesperson for Stirling Council this week said: “Our contractor has faced significant challenges at this site due to the complexity of the project, and we aim to have the works complete as soon as is practicable. We are beginning meetings this week with local businesses and residents directly affected by the works to update on progress.”
How the Branshogle Bridge saga unfolded
March 2021
Stirling Council closed the Branshogle Bridge, on the B818, after a partial collapse. Council contractors then feared that a further collapse was likely and a full road closure was put in place.
May 2021
Farmers and HGV drivers Were facing a 19-mile diversion as a result of the road closure. The closure meant that lorries looking to head along the route between Balfron and Fintry had to take a lengthy detour via Buchlyvie, Arnprior and Kippen. Vehicles trying to access Claylands Farm, along the B818, faced an almost 19-mile diversion to access the property. The farm sits less than a mile from the closure site, but delivery lorries had to divert through Balfron and along the A811, travelling through Buchlyvie, Arnprior and Kippen, then on to the B822 to Fintry before travelling east along the B818 to the farm.
The farmer there said delays were having a “major impact on three businesses that supply food, fuel and power” to local people.
June 2021
A survey was carried out to determine the scale of repairs required on the bridge.
Stirling Council said that the consultants were undertaking the study to decide on the appropriate course of action to reopen the route.
September 2021
Disappointment was expressed over the length of time being taken to repair the bridge.
Nearby residents and businesses raised concerns over the length of diversion as well as the volume of traffic forced onto other surrounding roads.
In August, council officers staged online meetings with those affected by the closure to address concerns.
Among the questions raised with council officers was that of putting a temporary structure in place in order to re-open the route, which was kicked into touch.
November 2021
It was claimed that traders in west Stirlingshire could see takings drop by up to 40 per cent due to prolonged bridge closures in the area.
Business owners in Drymen, Croftamie, Balmaha and the East Loch Lomond area said that multiple bridge closures in the area, including the Branshogle Bridge, had brought businesses to their knees and they formed a community action group comprising of 80 per cent of the businesses.
December 2021
Stirling Council confirmed to the Observer that a contractor has been appointed to carry out repairs on the bridge and commenced works on site on November 29. The structural improvements were anticipated to take 18 weeks – meaning that work should have been finished in early April.
April 2022
The completion of works to repair the structure was delayed by more than two months.
Stirling Council confirmed to the Observer that the work had hit a series of delays and was due for completion in late June. A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We wrote to the affected communities and residents last week to confirm that work on the Branshogle Bridge has unfortunately encountered unforeseen delays.
“This is an environmentally sensitive site that represents significant access and construction challenges. Works have exposed more complex ground conditions than originally identified that require significant changes to the design, construction process and temporary support works.
“Progress has also been affected by recent storms and high water levels, with work now expected to be completed by the end of June.
“We are aware of the impact the closure is having on the community and the council is working closely with the contractor to ensure repairs are completed as soon as possible.”
