Access fears over road closure plan in Lybster area addressed following meeting
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RESIDENTS, who described as "unacceptable" a plan to close part of a Caithness road for five months so a new water main can be installed, have had their fears about access for deliveries and emergency vehicles addressed.
They were worried the proposal by Scottish Water would close the Lybster to Watten road around the Camster area when the work starts next week. Concern was also expressed about refuse collections, children going to and from school and people to and from work.
Three thirty minute access slots were said to be inadequate and a meeting was held last Thursday night at Lybster Community Hall so local people could get an opportunity to meet the project team and ask questions.
Jo Bowd, one of the concerned residents, said: "The meeting went well and a lot of our fears have been laid to rest about access for deliveries and emergency vehicles. They are promising to make provision at all times for these and residents are going to be issued with permits so that we can be let through the road works as well so we won't need the massive detours they're putting in place, that's just for general traffic.
"I don't get why they couldn't have said this in the letter they sent round instead of getting us all worried but then communication isn't one of their strong points. Apparently they can't work overnight as it would be an issue with noise and light pollution."
Miss Bowd, who lives at Roster, added: "I feel much happier about it now so long as they stick to it. We'll just have to see what happens on Monday."
A spokesman for Scottish Water said: "We’re very grateful to customers who attended our event last Thursday evening at the hall in Lybster.
"The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the next phase of work to renew the water mains between Occumster and Camster, answer questions and enable concerns to be addressed.
"Following useful discussions, our team is finalising plans and seeking to address the issues that residents have raised as far as we reasonably can. We will be writing to customers in the local area again this week to confirm all the arrangements before the next phase of work begins."
He added: "We recognise that work of this kind involves short term disruption and, especially at locations like this on the road network, there are practical limits on what we can do to mitigate this. We aim to engage with customers in these circumstances and to do what we can to accommodate their needs while keeping everyone safe. We appreciate the patience and support of residents and other road users, which plays an important part in enabling us to make the investment that is needed for the long term future of the area’s water supply."
