Cumbernauld residents raging as key road closes with little warning

No cars or buses can pass through the Hill Road to McGregor Road section of Seafar Road until 5pm on Friday, with diversions in place

Motorists have been advised that access will be maintained from one side of the closure into Hill Road, Dowanfield Road, Island Road and McGregor Road. The junction into Berryhill Road will remain closed for the duration of the works.

Meanwhile First Bus has diverted its X4 service and is organising a shuttle bus to take shoppers into the town centre from Campbell House.

The shutdown has sparked complaints from residents over the lack of warning about the closure.

Semi-retired kitchen designer Iain White of Braeface Road claims that three calls to the council went unanswered as he tried to ascertain what diversions would be in place.

Mr White said: “I’m disgusted. Why did the council not pay for an advert in the Cumbernauld News to let people know what was happening here? It’s because they are too busy spending money on these neon waves or doing up underpasses. The council does not give a monkey’s about Cumbernauld.

“We’ve not been kept out the loop - we were never in it in the first place. Don’t get me wrong. The road needs resurfaced because it was dangerous and I will be delighted when it’s finished. That doesn’t change the fact that there was no information given out on this whatsover.’’

That view was shared by pensioner Reg Sutton of Liddel Road, who said: “There was a real lack of consultation about this. The fact that the contractors were late on the site on Monday morning didn’t make people very happy either.

“I’ve had a lot of health problems and I can’t get around too well. Now I will have to walk all the way down to Campbell House to get a bus.

Allanfauld Road resident Margaret McCallum (65) believes that the restrictions are unacceptable.

“I am very concerned about this especially as part of this area is actually flooded at the moment. This is creating lengthy detours for elderly people who are having to take taxis into the town centre,” she said.

A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “Road closures must be advertised only when they are expected to last more than five days. The closure due to resurfacing works in Seafar does not fall into this category.

“Signage was put in place on the week commencing July 18 to inform road users, as per standard procedure, and large-scale signage was put in place a week before the works were due to begin.

“We will do everything we can to complete the re-surfacing as quickly as possible and to minimise inconvenience during the short time the works are in place.”

Meanwhile a spokesperson for First Bus confirmed “During the closure of a section of Seafar Road, service X4 will be diverted to operate via Central Way, Glasgow Road and Langlands. This diversion has been necessary as the section of road will be impassable during the period of works.

“We apologise for any inconvenience.”

Anyone wishing further information about the road closure is asked to call the council’s Northline helpline on 01698 403110.