Angus Council has deferred the start of further road resurfacing work in Forfar until the spring, following complaints from the public, businesses and fire service personnel.
The works on South Street, between the junctions with Swallowcroft and Academy Street, were due to begin on December 12, to run for two weeks.
However, after The Courier published concerns about the dangers a glut of roadworks present to the town, and a 200-name petition was lodged with the council, residents have now been notified by letter of the alteration to the timing of the roadworks.
Resurfacing work on Strang Street to the laybys will also be undertaken separately.
One of Forfar fire station’s crew told The Courier (link) that any closure of South Street could have implications while other major roadworks were in place.
West Port’s works and day-long upheaval are already causing delays to the route times of firefighters in the west end.
Garage owner and retained firefighter Roy King contacted The Courier about his concerns that Forfar roadworks now verge on the ludicrous. He said the delay to the active schedule is welcome but the problems caused by work still need addressed.
Mr King said: ”Obviously we were concerned about the roadworks coming out of the fire station on Strang Street. Now that’s not going ahead during times where we expect snow and the like, it’s looking better.
”But there’s no chance all these other works should be taking so long. If I was a contractor then I’d be looking to do as much work as possible in the shortest time, like working through the day and night.
”I’ve heard that even with the best of the machinery they (contractors) would have to do the job, there’s only one half of the road they can do at once. So why close both lanes of such a main road?
”I feel for the businesses along there like Canmore Motors, who have only just got the use of their entrance back.”
Residents of Swallowcroft, a cul-de-sac facing the former Don & Low factory, had been told to seek permission to get in and out.
One senior citizen, who asked not to be named, said she had written two letters of complaint in recent weeks.
Asked about what lifting the threat of diversion means to her, she said: ”I’m glad a bit of common sense seems to have prevailed. I received a letter about this and was starting to worry about getting in and out to do shopping. With a bad hip I can’t walk to the local Co-op.”
A South Street business owner is overjoyed his trade will not be affected in the run-up to Christmas. Shop owner Umar Sher of 1st Stop 2 Shop had feared he would lose a substantial amount of custom.
Mr Sher, who is also opening a new takeaway next week, collected a petition with more than 200 signatures before meeting Angus councillors, roads department figures, residents and Forfar Community Council last week in an attempt to come to some agreement.