Dumfries braced for second bypass closure

And despite an outpouring of frustration on social media, roads experts and police have agreed that a full closure for the second stage of the works this weekend is the best option.
The A75 will close this evening between the A76 Glasgow Road roundabout and the A701 Edinburgh Road roundabout and will not reopen until 6 am on Monday.
However, ahead of the three-day resurfacing work, meetings were held between Scotland TranServ, police and Dumfries and Galloway Council to explore alternatives.
And additional and early signage urging motorists to use an alternative route will be in place following the backlash over town centre congestion two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Scotland TranServ received two complaints and Police Scotland received just one.
Scotland TranServ’s contract director Gordon Wilson explained that more than 80 per cent of the upgrade is now complete.
He said: “We have considered all options to minimise disruption for this work. It has to be carried-out when traffic flows at their lightest, which is during the weekend and the only diversion is through Dumfries, so we are doing all we can to give road users as much notice as possible.”
Addressing other frequently asked questions, a spokeswoman for Scotland TranServ said: “We cannot carry out the works overnight as this would be insufficient time to set up traffic management and carry out each stage of work in time for opening the road the next day.
“Safety is of the utmost priority and on this occasion a convoy system does not provide enough clearance to protect operatives.
“A convoy system would also lead to further delays when vehicles are accessing or exiting the works site.”
Police Scotland will this week offer traffic management support around the town.
Meanwhile, dissatisfied with the information from roads officials, Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray feels repairs could have been better planned.
She said: “Disappointingly, Transport Scotland have failed to adequately respond to concerns following the major traffic congestion caused by the first stage of road repairs, and so local people are left wondering if they should be expecting the same chaos this weekend.
“They need to give greater consideration to emergency services, local people and businesses, and remain in communication with Police Scotland in the event of more congestion.”