FOR the past 17 months, residents and road users along the B721 between Rigg and Gretna have endured single-file, traffic light-controlled travel across part of the route.
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, is prompting fears of a full road closure if required repairs do not soon take place.
Gretna and Rigg Community Council have approached MSPs, pleading for swift intervention, but their concerns remain unaddressed.
The repair has been assessed as complex as it involves the road structure as well as the footway.
Residents are growing increasingly frustrated, not only with the inconvenience of prolonged traffic delays but also with the lack of a clear timeline for repairs.
GRCC chairperson Kirsten Herbst-Gray said: “This issue has been raised by various individuals in different roles, including our ward councillors, who, like everyone at our level, have done what they can. “The road in question is heavily used, with many people possibly preferring it to the A75 or for other reasons.
“Road users have expressed their concerns, but we currently lack information about the magnitude of the problem.
“As a community council, we want to explore what we can do to assist the council in addressing this issue.”
Some residents and road users have noticed a positive side effect as the traffic lights have led to a noticeable slowdown in traffic through the village.
However, Kirsten noted that this could be addressed with the installation of a speed warning sign.
Meanwhile, 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.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council were approached to comment.
ABOVE: Gretna and Rigg community councillors and residents
