A rural route that has been closed for almost a year will re-open to traffic next March, it is hoped.
The Catterburn Bridge has been out of bounds since last September after a section of wall and pavement partially collapsed.
The A809 road through Croftamie was shut – from the B834 to the A811 – with Stirling Council putting a diversion route in place.
However, worried traders in the village have repeatedly raised concerns over the length of time to carry out the repair job is taking on their business.
However, Stirling Council this week confirmed to the Observer that the bridge is scheduled to re-open to traffic nearly next year.
A single lane will re-open in February, followed by the full re-opening in March.
A spokesperson said: “This is a large and complex project and the contractor is currently on site working to deliver to the timescales given.
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“We will continue to keep local people updated regularly throughout the duration of the project.”
Work began on-site earlier this month. Construction firm AmcoGiffen were appointed as the contractor on the Croftamie project and began initial site investigation works at the end of July.
In June this year, we told how fed-up traders in west Stirlingshire feared losing out even more as the summer season approached.
Business owners in Drymen, Croftamie, Balmaha and the east Loch Lomond area said that the bridge closure, coupled with the one at Branshogle Bridge, near Balfron, brought them to their knees.
Owner of the But & Ben cafe in Main Street, Croftamie, Barbara Cunningham said: “We rely on passing trade and we would rely on a busy summer season to get us through the quieter winter months, but there is no passing trade.”
