Three-month Ross-shire road closure ‘under review’ says Scottish Water after public meeting
SCOTTISH Water is set to review plans for the three-month closure of a key section of road in Ross-shire following a public outcry and community meeting set up to discuss the issue.
Locals have been voicing “extreme concern” over plans for a three-month closure of a section of the A862 – a vital artery linking Evanton with Dingwall - to allow for the laying of new water pipeline.
As we reported last week, Kiltearn Community Council hosted a meeting attended by Scottish Water, its contractor and Highland Council roads officers over public concerns about the impact the closure - planned from the beginning of July - could have on residents and businesses.
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The meeting also included local ward councillors and a member of Dingwall Community Council. Cromarty Firth councillor John Edmondson previously called for a rethink citing the unacceptable impact the existing road closure proposal would have.
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.
One businessman had earlier also warned the potential knock-on impact of restrictions on the back road between Dingwall and Evanton - already the subject of a seven-week programme of works by Scottish Water - could have a devastating impact at his busiest time of year, potentially putting jobs on the line.
Community council chairman John McHardy said afterwards: “We held the meeting in the Diamond Jubilee Hall with approximately 130 members of the public coming along, which included major land owners and business affected by any closure.
”The main part of the meeting was devoted to a question and answer session during which it was clear that the public are not happy with Scottish Water’s current road closure proposal.
“In addition there was surprise that these works are of benefit to four houses and that a number of alternatives to installing the pipe in the road had not been fully considered.
”Local landowners made some good suggestions on alternative routes. The business represented expressed real concerns over the effect on their trade as well as safe operation during the harvest.
“Dingwall Medical Practice expressed concerns over the effect on home visits and travel for vulnerable people attending the surgery. In essence there were many, many reasons given why the current proposal would be unworkable.
”A show of hands at the end of the meeting demonstrated a unanimous agreement to a request that any works are postponed until the Spring to allow more detailed assessment of alternative routes.
”It was confirmed that the Traffic Order is still under consideration and that the council await response from Scottish Water to a number of questions.
”It has been noted that the signs that appeared last week giving advanced notice of the closure should not have been placed on the verge until any Traffic Order is approved, we have asked for there remove as they are
simply likely to cause undue concern.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “We are grateful to Kiltearn Community Council for organising a meeting on Tuesday evening to allow the arrangements for the renewal of the water network between Ardullie and Dingwall to be discussed.
“We recognise that the closure of a section of the A862 is disruptive; and our team has been looking at ways to minimise and mitigate this as far as possible. Following the meeting, we are reviewing the issues raised to confirm the best way forward – and expect to be able to provide a further update next week once our initial review is complete.”
Highland Council has been approached for comment on a number of occasions but has yet to respond.
