Balloch bridge roadworks to restart this week after being suspended

The Lomond Bridge works will resume.

Major roadworks in Balloch which were suspended will restart this week.

Work was suspended on Lomond Bridge after the lockdown was imposed but it is now getting back underway again.

The £3.6million project began in February and was due to take nine months to finish, with this time frame now looking likely to go beyond that.

Balfour Beatty Civil is carrying out a replacement of the deck on Lomond Bridge with wear and tear having left the concrete deck on the A811 in poor condition.

In a statement last week, the West Dunbartonshire Council said: “Essential work to repair and refurbish Lomond Bridge will recommence the week beginning Monday, May 25.

“This will be a phased return to full operation.

“Work to prepare the site is underway and all government guidance will be followed to ensure safe working.”

A council spokeswoman said she couldn’t confirm how the postponement would affect the length of the works, stating: “We are currently updating the schedule, as well as reviewing new working practices which include physical distancing.”

The main route between Balloch and Gartocharn has been closed since February with drivers diverted along Balloch Road, where works were carried out last year as part of a regeneration of the area.

It was expected to last for 38 weeks but it was set to reopen temporarily over the summer season before work recommences in August.

Works were originally scheduled to begin in October last year and estimated to finish in April but were delayed.

The Lennox Herald reported earlier this year how motorists were predicting the roadworks would cause “mayhem” in the village.

A local taxi driver said: “Why did they do Balloch Road up? Why would they do all that and then divert traffic through Balloch while Lomond Bridge is closed.

“It doesn’t make sense. They will now have all of these lorries going on a road which has just been done. It will just end up falling apart.They keep doing roadworks but there doesn’t seem to be any improvements to the roads.”

And labelling the duration of the works “pathetic”, a Lennox Herald reader said: “The A811 at the Lomond Road Bridge in Balloch is being closed for nine months creating mayhem for traffic diverted through the ‘improved’ Balloch main street.”

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Balloch and Haldane Community Council, and the Chamber of Commerce were formally notified of the works last year.