Stirling Council has moved to clarify the extent of a planned road closure in Dunblane, confirming that a three-month traffic regulation order will not result in the road being closed for the entire duration. The clarification comes after confusion and frustration among local businesses and residents over the order, which was published following a fire that gutted a property on Stirling Road in May.
Background of the Fire and Demolition Plans
The blaze in May left the building around the former Chip Inn severely damaged, leading to plans for demolition. The temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) covers Stirling Road from its junction with Millrow and Station Row, as well as a one-way stretch at nearby Bridgend. Local businesses feared that a key stretch of road would be shut off to visitors for three months, potentially harming trade.
Council's Clarification on the TTRO
A Stirling Council spokesperson explained: “The council is working with the owners of the fire damaged buildings in Dunblane to help them meet the requirements of dangerous building notices that have been issued. The immediate next steps are to stabilise the structure that remains on site and make it secure.” The spokesperson added that the TTRO is in place to allow for a road closure within the three-month period, but not for the entire time. “The TTRO in place does not mean that the road will be closed for a full three-month period; instead it is there to allow a road closure within a set period of time to complete necessary works to the fire damaged buildings,” they said.
Impact on Local Businesses
One of the businesses most affected, Ruby Ruby Shoes on Stirling Road, had previously criticised the council for a lack of communication, stating that conflicting information caused “significant stress and uncertainty.” The council has now vowed to keep businesses and the wider community informed about any closures ahead of their introduction. The spokesperson noted: “Responsibility for undertaking this work lies with the building owners and we do not know yet when this will happen. However, once we receive this information, we will inform the local community as to exactly when the road will close. This will be restricted to the minimum period necessary to allow works to the building to be carried out safely and to minimise any disruption to local businesses and residents.”
Political Reaction
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache, who had called for greater clarity, welcomed the statement. He told the Observer: “I’m very pleased to see that Stirling Council has clarified this road closure notice as there was confusion and anxiety over the order. The thoughts of the community are with those families immediately affected following the fire and the effect on their lives.”
