ARGYLL and Bute Council has been heavily criticised after announcing at short notice that the main road through the centre of Garelochhead will be closed for three days.

The authority announced via its Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon that the B872 is to be shut between 8am and 4pm today (Thursday), Friday and Monday.

A diversion is available via the A814 Garelochhead bypass.

The council's Facebook post stated: "The B872 in Garelochhead will be closed between 8am and 4pm on Thursday 5th, Friday 6th and Monday 9th July to allow road workers to safely carry out resurfacing. The closure will not affect the weekend.

"Local access to homes and businesses will be possible, and Traffic Management workers will be in place at either end of the works to advise motorists.

"The closure is necessary due to the narrow road surface in places along this stretch of the B872.

"We apologise for any short-term inconvenience caused by these works, which will greatly improve the road surface for the longer-term benefit of residents, businesses and visitors to Garelochhead.

"An alternative route is available via the A814 bypass."

The announcement sparked an angry response from local residents.

Commenting on the council's 'Argyll and Bute Weathering the Storm' page, Claire Fletcher said: "10 hrs notice of a 3 day road closure. Outstanding effort. The road has been that narrow for as long as I've been here. Why wasn't this planned for in advance?"

And James Feal-Martinez added: "I didn't know the council had a Fb page. Where's the letter or even email? Notification on the road, something, anything?"

In a Tweet on Wednesday evening, local bus operator Garelochhead Coaches said: "In light of @argyllandbute post on social media to say the B872 will be closed tomorrow through Garelochhead we have been unable to contact anyone to discuss, we and @wilsonsofrhu hope to negotiate access in the morning to keep disruption to a minimum."

And responding on the council's main Facebook page, Alistair Wilson from Wilson's of Rhu added: "We at Wilson's of Rhu have not been notified of this either. I suggest that this can't happen tomorrow morning without the council getting a proper plan in place!"