Traders in west Stirlingshire have expressed anger over the length of time being taken to repair a crumbling bridge as the busy summer tourist season approaches and say they have been left feeling deserted.
Businesses affected by the closure of the Catter Burn Bridge – on the A809 road through Croftamie – say that the work to repair the damaged structure should have been a top priority for Stirling Council after the route was shut nine months ago - in September last - year when a section of wall and pavement collapsed.
The bridge closure meant the route was shut from the B834 to the A811.
By November last year, traders had already reported a drop-off in takings by up to 40 per cent. Business owners in Drymen, Croftamie, Balmaha and the east Loch Lomond area said that the bridge closure, coupled with the bridge closure at Branshogle Bridge, near Balfron, brought businesses to their knees and they formed a community action group comprising of 80 per cent of the businesses.
Calling themselves Business Action Roads and Bridges (BARB), the trading group this week expressed their anger over the slow repair to the structure.
Local trader and BARB chairman, Charles Cottam, this week told the Observer: “Stirling Council’s shameful neglect of our roads infrastructure caused the collapse of the Croftamie A809 bridge last year. This lead to an instant reduction on the number of visitors to east Loch Lomond, along with greatly increased costs for businesses and residents alike.
“We’re angry that months after the collapse there is still no date set for reopening the bridge.”
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The spokesperson added that a raft of alternative proposals to reopen the route to one-way traffic has so far fallen on deaf ears. They added: “Fast, inexpensive and viable local initiatives to reopen one way working have been dismissed in favour of dither and delay by constantly changing personnel at the council.
“Businesses and residents feel deserted by a council to whom they pay a great deal of money and many are wondering how they can continue to operate.”
The But & Ben cafe, located in Main Street, Croftamie, just a short distance from the bridge, opened at the outset of the Covid pandemic.
Owner Barbara Cunningham this week said: “We rely on passing trade and we would rely on a busy summer season to get us through the quieter winter months, but the closure means that there is no passing trade.”
She added that the consultation between the council and traders has been few and far between, leaving struggling businesses in the dark over the repair.
Stirling Council is to consider a report on the repair project next week before updating locals. A council spokesperson said: “Officers and partners continue to do all they can to ensure the bridge can be reopened as soon as possible.
“A report on the project will be considered by council on Thursday, June 23 and, thereafter, we will provide an update to the communities affected on the plan to complete the necessary repairs to allow the bridge to reopen.”
In October last year, we told how discussed plans to put an additional £1.5 million in funding towards emergency repairs to Catter Burn Bridge and Branshogle Bridge.
That same month, we reported how motorists ignoring road closures and ‘local access only’ restrictions had left villagers fearing a serious accident may occur. Drivers were forced to take alternative routes due to the closure of the Catter Burn Bridge and Drymen Community Council said that villagers had been left fearing that a bad accident may happen.
Community council secretary Andrew Richardson said: “The official diversion route is via the A811 and A81. Vehicles have been taking shortcuts via Gartness Road, Balfunning Road and Balfunning Lane. Consequently, there have been several near-miss incidents, and the road verges are being damaged as opposing vehicles try to pass each other.”
