Severe rainfall has taken its toll on Kilninver Bridge risking cutting off two island communities.
Emergency weight restrictions are now in place, isolating ten farm businesses on the other side of the bridge at one of their busiest times of the year.
In an online statement, Argyll and Bute Council said it “had to take action now” because of damage caused by the deluge earlier this month, or the bridge could face long-term closure.
It apologised for the sudden restrictions and has warned that at times, for safety reasons while repairs are being carried out, there will be no access over the bridge.
The bridge was already scheduled for a replacement next August.
As a safety precaution it has put in place a 3.5 tonne weight limit. Emergency vehicles will be exempt. They hope the weight limit will only need to be in place for a couple of days. There may be traffic queues with vehicles allowed over the bridge intermittently.
“We apologise for any disruption and thank you for your co-operation while we carry out these urgent and necessary works,” said the council.
The National Farmers Union has offered to facilitate an urgent conference call with the council and other affected stakeholders to make concerns known and to “hopefully” get reassurances the problem will be resolved quickly, said NFU branch secretary Euan Warnock.
He added: “We respect the council’s role in protecting the roads and taking reasonable action when there could be danger. We are not trying to ignore its responsibility but there are ten farm businesses affected with no alternative access.
“We are in the middle of a busy sales season and we have a huge sale next Tuesday where most farmers will look to shift large quantities of cattle and we are still in the middle of buying winter feed, hay, straw and draff which is a distillery byproduct. We also need to be moving cattle off to their new homes with greener grass.
“The bridge is scheduled for replacement next year. Will the council really put money into repairs now or will they drag these restrictions out until next summer and leave our farmers isolated?”
Mr Warnock also questioned the council’s use of a 3.5 tonnes MGW restriction which goes on the maximum plated weight of a vehicle. In real terms a vehicle could be lighter – depending on what it is carrying. He says using MGW as a restriction was not appropriate.
Seil and Easdale Community Council convenor Zim Knight said the restrictions were imposed suddenly with no warning from Argyll and Bute Council.
“The first we knew about the restrictions and potential full closures was when the signs went up. I’ve been emailing the council since but had nothing back except for out-of-office replies.
“Just the day before, we had three massive coaches on Seil and the bin lorry came across it. As a community, we’ve no idea what’s going on and we’ve no idea what the council is going to do to fix it. We have been left in the dark wanting answers.
“We could be completely cut off. How are they going to police the restrictions? You could have a big campervan coming over with a load of shopping from a wholesaler!”
Luing Community Council convenor Innes MacQueen said: “There was no prior warning. The floods happened more than ten days ago; how come these restrictions are only happening now? Presumably there’s been an inspection. The inconvenience will be huge not only to our farms and fishing businesses but for vehicles bringing over building materials and also potentially for those relying on the bus. What about when schools go back on Monday? We understand urgent work needs doing but we need lots of information from the council and we need it now.”
West Coast Motors said it has no alternative than to terminate its Oban to Seil and Cuan route at the junction of the A816 and B844 but it is in discussion with the council about introducing a minibus service instead.
A council spokesperson added: “Urgent work is already under way and we are making best endeavours to have the bridge fully open in the next two to three days, subject to weather conditions and river levels. We are contacting the NFU directly.”