A83 Lochgilphead | Closure following Police Incident
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A83 LOCHNELL STREET LOCHGILPHEAD TO REOPEN
The A83 at Lochnell Street in Lochgilphead is reopening today (24 December) around 1:00pm under traffic signal control.
Lochnell Street has been closed since the fatal house fire on Sunday 14th December and its re-opening followed the completion of works to stablise the affected building using a temporary scaffold and support system.
The traffic management arrangements in Lochnell Street will be reviewed early in the new year with a view to re-establising two-way traffic flow and full pedestrian facilities, whilst also considering on-street parking provision.
Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative advised “Contractors working for Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) have made excellent progress over the past week to stabilise the building affected by fire, and we are now in a position to re-open the A83 at Lochnell Steet under temporary traffic signal control. We will continue to work with ACHA and Argyll and Bute Council in the new year in an effort to re-establish two-way traffic flow and we thank the local community and road users for their patience following the tragic circumstances of 14 December.”
The A83 is currently closed at Lochnell Street towards the east end of Lochgilphead.
In the interests of road safety, A83 HGV traffic is required to utilise the strategic diversion following the A819 from Inveraray, A85 via Oban and the A816 to the west end of Lochgilphead and visa versa. The strategic diversion is not suitable for vehicles over 13’9” in height. Drivers of vehicles higher than this should liaise with Police Scotland.
A local diversion is in place via Manse Brae, Union Street, and Lorne Street but this is only suitable for light local traffic. Argyll and Bute Council have promoted waiting restrictions along these streets to ease traffic flow and will be enforcing them, if required, in the interests of safety. Local diversions are also available for pedestrians whilst access-only is maintained in Lochnell Street for residents and businesses.
Works to stabilise the fire-damaged building is ongoing to allow the A83 to be reopened as soon as possible which is hoped to be by New Year.
Euan Scott, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative advised “This is a tragic situation and our thoughts are with the families of those affected. ACHA are making good progress on emergency stabilisation works which are required before the A83 can be re-opened. Whilst there is a local diversion for light traffic, we urge HGVs to utilise the longer, but more suitable, diversion route.”
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