But there is light at the end of the tunnel for people in the Waterbeck area, as the funding has now been agreed for the C61a – coming from both Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN).
An emergency closure was placed on the road, which runs from Waterbeck to Dunnabie, on March 8 2019 due to a structural failure of utility reinstatement track and associated road damage.
But on Wednesday councillors on Dumfries and Galloway Council’s communities committee agreed to £9 million of projects to be include in their updated ‘Capital Programme’, including the C61a.
And Annandale East and Eskdale councillor Archie Dryburgh told one Waterbeck resident: “The C61a has come to a conclusion legally with Scottish Power and this will be with funding from them.
“This will be completed as soon as this can be contracted out, following the correct procurement procedures.”
Speaking after the works were agreed, vice chairman of the committee councillor John Martin said: “The report details an update on the works that our council is committed to carrying out.
“For anyone who wonders if their route to work or street where they live is going to be resurfaced, or the speed limit lowered, or the drainage works improved, please check out the programme of works – it’s on our website.”
Detailing more about the long delay in the works on the C61a, a spokeswoman from SPEN explained that at the time of the closure, the road had sunk by around 25mm since it was last reinstated and SPEN was working with the local authority to investigate what had caused the issue.
The utility company was also waiting for Dumfries and Galloway Council to complete repair work on a nearby bridge, at Carruthers.
Once SPEN has completed the reinstatement of the C61a, the road will be handed back to Dumfries and Galloway Council who will make the decision to reopen the road.
In addition, a report for the meeting on Tuesday detailed more than a £1 million underspend on resurfacing of roads, forestry, drainage and footways due to Covid-19.
