Surface dressing causes confusion for Cove and Kilcreggan

Surface dressing looks set to cause chaos tomorrow for Cove and Kilcreggan commuters – and potentially schoolchildren.

Bus companies have complained that Argyll and Bute Council or its contractors did not contact them in advance about the work, and commuters have said the situation is ‘ridiculous’.

Wilson’s of Rhu said this afternoon that buses will not be able to get past the work on the B833 at a narrow stretch of Ferry Brae.

“There will therefore be no service covering Kilcreggan, Cove and Coulport,” the firm said on Facebook.

“This is outwith our control and prior arrangements should have been made by the relevant authorities for this.”

And Garelochhead Coaches said on Twitter that they had been unable to find out the exact times of the work, but when it was under way the service would only go as far as the co-op in Rosneath.

“We have requested that the works do not disrupt the Hermitage Academy school transport from Kilcreggan and Cove”, the firm added.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused, we are trying our best with the information we have.”

Toni Howard, who lives in C0ve and relies on the bus to get to work in Helensburgh, said: “I think the lack of notice to allow for plans is ridiculous.

“It doesn’t take much to keep people informed. I shouldn’t be having to find an alternative route this late in the day.”

In 2017 council contractors carrying out surface dressing closed the B833 in two places simultaneously, meaning the single-track Barbour Road was the only route available for vehicles.

A council spokesperson said: “We need to carry out essential maintenance on the Rhu to Kilcreggan road.

“To avoid closing the road entirely and causing large delays with a diversion, contractors are operating a stop and hold traffic system to allow resurfacing to take place.

“We’ve requested that school buses are given priority to get through. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The work is ‘surface dressing’, which the council says is replacing the surface of the road in an attempt to stop water getting in and damaging it and to provide skid resistance.