Monklands Memories - Airdrie & Coatbridge areas

MAROONED
in Old Monkland

Scotland Gas Networks are closing the main arterial route leading to Old Monkland, Kirkwood, Kirkshaws, Cuparhead  during one of the predictable worst weather months of the year.  From 5^th January for FOUR weeks they will be closing Woodside Road /Mill Brae to carry out gas repairs. Within the last week we have witnessed unusually long tailbacks at the Kirkshaws Road & Whifflet St roundabout. This roundabout is always busy but the recent fall of snow has cause an increase in the delays. At the same time there were unusually long tailbacks at the steep Coathill - leading to Whifflet Cross and on Croy Road leading to Dundyvan.

Anyone can guess as to what will happen in January with a slight fall of snow. However Scotland Gas Network - (SGN) are committed to carry out the work.

When the bridge closes there will be exceptionally long delays for traffic exiting any of the available routes. Since Woodside Road and Mill Brae is the main arterial route it is estimated to carry around 60% of the volume of traffic.  When the bridge is closed the traffic on the other routes will increase by approx 500%.

In normal weather there will be Chaos - if it is snow or ice we will have GRIDLOCK.

Local residents are concerned and worried on how to get to work or buy essential food supplies.  We hear they are stockpiling food already.  Local businesses are also concerned that they will be unable to get supplies or carry out deliveries.

Think about it!   If,/when we get some snow in January the residents of Old Monkland will be practically MAROONED.

So come on SGN have some sense and POSTPONE the bridge works until the weather is better.

The REAL problem however is the single track road under the bridge. It was laid down in 1864, before anyone dreamed of motor cars - when heavy traffic was the occasional Clydesdale horse.    150 years later the road is still the same width but now an estimated 500 plus cars and lorries use the bridge on an hourly basis and are held up by the traffic lights.
So Transport Scotland - "Isn't it about time that the road under the bridge was widened??"

Glenboig residents' frustration at bridge repair work