THE trunk road maintenance company responsible for repairs to the A83 says it’s happy to remind drivers that Arrochar is still open for business despite the closure of the route.
Cristina Sanchez-Navarro, who runs the award-winning Ashfield House B&B in the village, told the Advertiser of her concern that motorists were being diverted away from Arrochar and putting local businesses at risk.
Cristina said the problem was at its worst when the diversionary route – the Old Military Road – is also shut, as it has been on several occasions since the A83’s closure due to more heavy rain.
On those occasions drivers heading towards Argyll are left with a 59-mile diversion, continuing on the A82 at Tarbet.
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But Cristina said temporary signs gave motorists the wrong impression that to get to Arrochar they have to turn right at Tarbet.
BEAR Scotland says it has addressed residents’ concerns.
Cristina said: “We’re dying here. We’ve adapted and overcome major problems anyway because of coronavirus, but this is just killing us – and the few people who are still coming to Arrochar are getting confused by the signs.
“I know of people who have been coming to the area and have turned back at Tarbet because they were so confused or because they think they can’t get through.”
Lomond North councillor George Freeman said: “Concerns over signage during road closures due to landslips at the Rest and Be Thankful have been raised on numerous occasions over the years by myself and the community council almost every time the A83 is closed.
“It is unacceptable that signage is diverting traffic away from Arrochar which is causing serious problems for local businesses.”
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A spokeswoman for BEAR Scotland, which is responsible for putting out temporary signs when the Old Military Road is shut, said: “Following some concerns from local businesses, our teams have rearranged the road signs at Tarbet to further highlight that businesses in the area remain open to the public when the standard diversion route is implemented.
“We will continue to work with the local community and do all we can to assist them while our teams work round the clock to get the A83 reopen safely.”
BEAR also said this week that some motorists had verbally abused its workers after learning of the Old Military Road’s closure and that it was working with police to address the problem.
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