October 8th 2024.
When night falls, some drivers are hesitant to take on the challenge of navigating unlit, single track roads. This is especially true for the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway, where road works have forced the closure of the main route between Gretna and the Belfast ferries at Cairnryan. As a result, drivers face lengthy diversions lasting up to two and a half hours. The closure, in turn, has caused long lines of lorries stretching up to three miles in Scotland.
To avoid these lengthy diversions, drivers can choose to take alternative routes between 8pm and 6am when the A75 is closed. However, these roads are often narrow and unlit, making them unsuitable for the heavy goods vehicles that typically travel this route. Local residents also share their concerns about these alternative roads, claiming that they are not designed for large trucks and can become dangerous. Liz Hitschmann, a resident of Gatehouse of Fleet, recalls the first night of the closure when there were no diversion signs in place. As a result, lorries ended up queuing all the way back to Gatehouse, causing major problems for the small town.
BBC News reports that driving all the way north to Ayr and then doubling back down along the A roads can turn a 40-minute journey into a four-hour one. As a result, many drivers opt to take the minor roads, which are not accustomed to such heavy traffic and have been worn down by the increase in vehicles. Mike Edwards, a local resident, shares his frustration with the state of these roads and the inconvenience it causes for the community.
Amey, the company responsible for maintaining the road, claims that they have done everything in their power to minimize disruption during the road works, which have cost £700,000. However, the levels of traffic in this normally quiet area have been unprecedented, and locals have been feeling the effects. Mr. Edwards notes that the constant flow of heavy traffic late into the night has been a major inconvenience for the community.
Some locals are even afraid to travel these minor roads at night, even if it means avoiding a journey that is four times longer than the normal route. This fear has also impacted attendance at recent meetings, with many being cancelled due to the dangerous conditions of the roads at night. Denise Brownlee, a resident of Gatehouse of Fleet, shares her concerns about driving on these narrow and poorly lit roads, especially during the dark and rainy weather at this time of year.
The road closures are set to continue until Sunday morning, with more scheduled from October 28 to November 2. However, some locals believe that these closures could have been avoided if a convoy system was put in place instead. Amey states that they have had extensive discussions with ferry operators, haulage companies, and emergency services, and have even suspended works during the mid-term school break. Despite their efforts, the closures and diversions continue to cause major disruptions for drivers and locals alike.
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