Concern over two weeks of town traffic disruption

MOTORISTS should brace themselves for two weeks of disruptions around one of Dumfries’ busiest streets.
Brooms Road will be closed for resurfacing from Monday – forcing drivers on lengthy detours taking them as far away as Buccleuch Street.
Having been approached by worried constituents, Nith Ward councillor Alastair Witts said: “I think the concerns are valid, because it’ll be absolute hell the first week of the new school term, but the work had to be done.”
Describing the repairs as ‘long overdue’, he said: “If you’re crossing the zebra crossing at Glebe Street on a wet day you have to push the button and jump back.
“I’m sure cars aren’t deliberately soaking you, but the camber of the road is such that this is well overdue.”
The resurfacing will close Brooms Road from Clerkhill to Leafield Road.
Councillor Witts said: “I did ask if we could do one side and then the other, but I was told that it wasn’t feasible.”
And he added: “As far as the diversions are concerned, the answers that I got is that they felt that these were the most practical ones that could take the load.”
The alternative westbound route is via Leafield Road, Annan Road, English Street, Shakespeare Street, Nith Street, Dockhead and St Michael’s Bridge Road.
Heading eastbound from Dockhead to Morrisons, the diversion will be via St Michael’s Bridge Road, Dockhead, Whitesands, Buccleuch Street, Church Crescent, Academy Street, Loreburn Street, English St, Annan Road and Leafield Road.
The work will be carried out in two phases, as part of a wider programme running through the town.
Local access will be granted via Leafield Road during phase one and via Queen Street during phase two.
And emergency vehicles such as those from the fire station are set to be accommodated.
The work starts at 8 am Monday April 4, running until 6 pm on Sunday April 17.