Two public roads are set to be closed next week amid speculation that aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is returning to the Clyde.
Three years ago the Ministry of Defence (MoD) asked for the A814 beside Loch Long and C69 in Glen Douglas to be closed whenever the Royal Navy’s huge new aircraft carriers came alongside at Glen Mallan.
That request was refused by Argyll and Bute Council, although a ‘clearway’ to stop parking on the roads was agreed as a compromise.
But this week council officials ‘facilitated an urgent request’ from the MoD to impose temporary closures of the roads, which are between Garelochhead and Arrochar.
There have been reports on Twitter this week that HMS Queen Elizabeth is due to visit the armaments depot at Glen Mallan on Loch Long.
Council officials say they have had assurances that the roads will only be closed ‘when absolutely necessary’ and local access will be maintained.
But Cllr George Freeman, who lives in Garelochhead, has attacked the decision as ‘the thin end of the wedge’.
“It is most disappointing that there has been no consultation with local councillors on this matter,” he said.
“Such a closure will require constituents and the general public, many of whom travel back and forward on the road on a daily basis, to take a lengthy detour along the A817 and A82 to access Arrochar and beyond into Argyll.
“With the current ongoing high increases in fuel cost, this will cost constituents and others who will be forced to take the lengthy detour extra costs.
“Will the MoD or the council compensate those who will be forced to incur these additional cost? As we know, it was announced earlier today that fuel costs are now at the highest they have ever been.”
He added that the stated reason for the closure was to allow ’emergency works on or near the road’, but unloading or loading munitions at Glen Mallan was a routine activity for warships.
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“I have travelled on this road as a councillor for 23 years with munitions being loaded and unloaded to and from ships on a regular basis without the need for any road closures,” he said.
“Why do the MoD consider that road closures are now required? I believe that this could be the thin end of the wedge and that such road closures could become the norm.”
The attempt in 2019 to use MoD Police to control civilian traffic followed an announcement of that force’s more active role on public land, which was revealed here and led to questions being asked in the House of Commons by MP Brendan O’Hara.
On this occasion the council has been told that. traffic management company will be used by the MoD.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “Temporary road restrictions are a matter for the council.
“However, when vessels are alongside Glen Mallan jetty there may be a requirement for temporary traffic measures while ammunitioning takes place.
“This is in the interests of public safety and is in conjunction and consultation with both the local authority and Police Scotland. It is anticipated that disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum.
“For security reasons we would not routinely comment on vessel movements in advance.”
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