An appeal has been made to transport chiefs to reduce the number of simultaneous overnight road closures on the A83 after Kintyre businesses laid bare their devastating impact.
A crunch meeting was told of one Campbeltown-based firm that is considering moving from Argyll because of the effect closures between Campbeltown and Glasgow are having on its operations.
The topic was discussed at last week’s meeting of Campbeltown Community Council, whose memebers have now written to Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland, about the “lack of consideration” given to the companies and residents of Campbeltown and surrounding area when planning works.
Community council convener Valerie Nimmo said: “While everyone appreciates the need for road maintenance and the need to ensure the safety of road workers, the programme of roadworks on the A83 is unacceptable.
“The week beginning April 8, at any one time, there were a minimum of three road/carriageway closures on the A83 for transport companies and Kintyre residents to negotiate on the route to Glasgow. These were at Kilchenzie, Artilligan, Lochgilphead, Inveraray and the Rest and Be Thankful.
“These delays are not only inconvenient but have major effects on local transport businesses, extending drivers’ hours, causing missed ferries and company costs and more.
“We have one company threatening to move out of Campbeltown; this is a business that we cannot afford to lose, so we have asked BEAR Scotland to plan the road maintenance schedule to ensure that there are fewer road closures taking place at the same time.”
The community council is awaiting a response from BEAR Scotland but has received a reply from Transport Scotland, with route manager Neil MacFarlane advising that the number of amnesties to allow traffic through roadworks during overnight closures is dictated by the nature of the work.
Mr Nimmo added: “On some jobs, we take out more material than others, so, on these amnesties are fewer as it is physically not safe to allow traffic past the ongoing works.”
The Courier has contacted BEAR Scotland for comment.
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