A damaged footpath, just before the bridge over the Kirtle Water, to the east of Rigg, which appears to be on the brink of collapse, has previously prompted fears of a full road closure if the long-required repairs do not soon take place.
Numerous residents have already aired their frustrations over the traffic management in place to the east of the village on the B721 at the bridge going over the Kirtle Water. Not only with the inconvenience of prolonged traffic delays but also with the lack of a clear timeline for repairs.
Previously Gretna and Rigg Community Council had approached MSPs, pleading for swift intervention.
The repair has been assessed as complex as it involves the road structure as well as the footway.
Last August, one fed-up Rigg resident, with an engineering background, said: “I think there’s a feeling in the village that it’s not on the radar, that it’s not being considered.
“It’s the foundation that’s being washed away. Clearly to be able to repair that it’s not just a case of coming along and putting stuff on the surface. It’s probably more cost effective to put a set of traffic lights up. I suspect there’s another part of the carriageway that’s going to collapse.
“The bridge is doing a fine job, it’s the area leading up to it. We just want to know what the plan is.”
And finally this week Dumfries and Galloway Council outlined their plan of action for the road.
A spokesman said: “The design works to the east of the village at the bridge over the Kirtle Water are now in the process of being finalised, the next step is to go through a tender process to appoint a suitable contractor for the works.
“It is anticipated that works to the embankment, footway and carriageway will commence late April or early May 2025 with expected completion in late June or early July.
“Whilst these works are progressed, the roads service will continue to monitor the traffic management and overall safety of the site on a weekly basis.”
