Drivers face ‘weeks of delays’

A large chunk of the road near to the Tynehead turnoff collapsed in the early hours of last Wednesday, August 12, following that night’s heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Later in the week, Amey put in place a long diversion, which sends drivers up the A7 instead, in order to assess the damage and the causes behind it.

Rachael Hamilton MSP says the diversions are likely to be in place “for several weeks” and has asked Roseanna Cunningham, the cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and land reform whether affirmative action was going to be taken by the Scottish Government to assess landslip risks along major routes.

And, in a letter to Transport Scotland today, she asked that a timetable of repair works commence in earnest and that residents and businesses along the route be given reassurance.

Mrs Hamilton, who with her husband owns the Buccleuch Hotel in St Boswells, further south on the A68, said: “I have written to Transport Scotland to ask that it provides a timetable of urgent repair works in light of the A68 collapsing at Fala.

“This is a vital arterial route from Edinburgh to the Borders, and it must be a priority to get it open.

“In light of the A68 closure, and the tragic events at Stonehaven where there was a loss of life, we need guarantees the SNP Government is taking the issue of landslides seriously.

“Residents and businesses, including my constituents, along the route will have to suffer weeks of delays and diversions before things return to normal.

“We need Transport Scotland to give reassurances that work will begin very soon to repair this important trunk road into the Borders.”

Last week, Joanne Turner, principal civil egineer with trunk roads contractor Amey, said: “Geotechnical investigations into the extent of the damage and the necessary repair are ongoing, and further updates will be provided by Transport Scotland and the relevant operating company.

“A timeframe for the repair will be developed once investigations are completed and more information will be provided in due course.”