Is the 15-month saga of temporary traffic lights on the A817 Haul Road through Glen Fruin finally coming to an end?
The lights appeared at bridge over Finlas Water near the A82 in December 2020 , after the parapet was damaged by a vehicle.
The following month Argyll and Bute Council awarded a £36,000 contract to Simpson Safety Fencing Limited, which was due to run for six weeks.
The cost of hiring the traffic lights has now passed £18,000.
The council gave a series of dates last year when the work was due to be complete, but has not responded to inquiries in recent weeks – however a digger appeared at the bridge yesterday (Friday), sparking hopes that work was finally underway.
It is thought though that this work is unrelated to the bridge repairs, as the van belongs to Focus Group, which carries out telecommunications work.
The lights have frequently broken down, with their batteries being stolen on one occasion.
Fergus Madigan of Garelochhead Community Council has made repeated complaints about the delays to the work, saying last year: “It is getting a tad farcical and dangerous.
“I feel there needs to be some accountability here, it is only down to very welcome luck there has not been a serious accident at the temporary lights.”
The council said last year that a replacement vehicle restraint system (barrier) was needed:
“This is a bespoke design as this particular road needs a higher specification than normal.”
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