Dumfries residents have hit out at “ridiculous” traffic restrictions for a major cycling event in the summer.
And they’ve raised concerns the town will be gridlocked by the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships which takes place in the region in August.
Residents in Summerville Crescent complain they won’t have access to the street between 7am and 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday, August 9 and 10 and will have to park their cars at Tesco overnight.
Michelle Mitchell said: “First of all I want to point out that I am all for these events coming to Dumfries.
“But give us reasonable solutions for getting around while it’s on. The restrictions that will be placed on us as residents for the duration of it are unacceptable, impractical and ridiculous.”
Michelle pointed out there will be no vehicle access to Cairn Valley Medical Practice in Lochfield Road between 6am and 6pm with anyone attending the surgery needing to park at Tesco and walk.
Similarly, those in Barnhill face a limited time window to take their cars out. There will be no vehicle access between 9.15am and 6pm on the same dates, with vehicle access via Maxwelltown Station Road between 12.45pm and 1.15pm, according to the council’s website.
Michelle, a sales manager, added: “When I first looked at this I thought ‘Okay I can deal with that’. But the more I’ve looked into it the more ridiculous it is.
“They’re essentially locking down Dumfries. They might as well shut the whole of Dumfries for two full days because gridlock is going to happen.
“The Whitesands, Glasgow Street, Terregles Street and Lochfield are completely cut off from 6am to 6pm.
“When I challenged them on how we get to work, visit elderly relatives or do the shopping, the comment I got back was that you can walk. Or I can park my vehicle in Tesco’s car park.”
Her views are echoed by others in Summerville Crescent.
Mum Nikki Harris said: “I’m all for bringing money to the region with big events like this but not at the expense of residents. I’ve got two kids I need to drop off at childcare in Georgetown and Calside before I start work at Midpark so this will have a severe impact on me. I finish work at 2.45pm.
“What am I supposed to do for just over three hours before the road reopens? I don’t think enough thought has been given to this.”
Andy Young added: “I’ve got a business in St Michael Street and according to the map that will be closed and I’ve had no information about it.
“I need to go to the cash and carry daily but by the looks of it I won’t be able to get in or out.”
Rowan Martin said: “Me and my partner have health and mobility issues and I care for my mum who is out of town.
“I can’t drag my kids up at 5am just so we can get out before these restrictions. It’s not reasonable.”
A council spokesman said: “In order to run a safe event for both the public and the competitors using our public highways, roads need to be closed for a period of time before racing and during.
“Roads will be reopened as soon as possible after races and a traffic management company will oversee the closures throughout the four days of racing, across all routes.
“So yes, they are confirmed road closures and they’ll be advertised as such in line with legislation in due course.”
The spokesman added: “We have a dedicated web page that’s been live since routes were announced on May 16 – www.dumgal.gov.uk/paracyclingworldchamps and we’ve been running engagement sessions every day this week, as well as some last week, we have also been visiting businesses located on the routes and will continue to do so.
“We will continue to engage with businesses and residents on affected routes and would ask anyone who has any queries or issues to contact us at cwc@dumgal.gov.uk, pop along to an engagement session or call us on 030 33 33 3000.”
