Frustration about impact of ongoing work to plug massive sinkhole in Clydebank

A businessman's telling Clyde News he's in the dark about exactly how long it will take to fix a massive sinkhole in Clydebank which has lead to major travel disruption and a slump in trade.

Kilbowie Road has been shut since early January between Kilbowie and Duntocher roundabouts after a 62 metre deep cavity appeared on the pavement with engineers from the Coal Authority on site trying to fix the problem.

Our Chief Reporter Linda Sinclair has this video report:

The Coal Authority has sent Clyde News an updated statement.

Tim Marples, Head of Public Safety and Subsidence for the Coal Authority, said works to safely fill the shaft at Kilbowie Road with stone and pressurised grouting are progressing as planned.

He added: “Our drilling contractors are scheduled to complete the grouting works and will be off site by 28 February 2017 with the next phase of work starting on Wednesday 1 March 2017.

“This will involve safeguarding all of the utilities prior to excavation works to allow us to construct a reinforced concrete shaft cap. This phase will be progressed in collaboration with West Dunbartonshire Council.

“Additional pumps have been sourced to manage the flood water surges generated from the recent poor weather and we’re continuing to ensure that the site remains secure, including providing out of hours security.

“We would like to thank residents for their patience while we carry out the repair of the ground collapse.”

West Dunbartonshire Council says the Coal Authority is responsible for the site and reinstatement of the shaft and the Council will take the lead on the reinstatement of the road.

The Council is doing everything it can to support residents and minimise the impact. More than 160 road signs have been placed across the area to inform residents of the works, and a traffic management strategy to divert and manage vehicles has been developed in consultation with Police Scotland. This will be regularly reviewed based on the latest traffic flow information.

Ronnie Dinnie, the Council’s Strategic Lead for Environment and Neighbourhood, said: “This is the biggest collapse ever seen on one of our roads. It is like an iceberg in that what is visible from the surface is only a fraction of the true size of this sink hole. To put this into perspective, the depth is greater than the height of the nearby Titan Crane.

“We are grateful that the Coal Authority, the country’s lead organisation on mine shafts and their remediation, is leading this project and they will move as quickly as possible.

“I know how frustrating this traffic disruption is to our residents but it’s crucial that we get this resolved and the ground is stabilised so that it can be made safe for residents and all members of the public to travel on this stretch in future. “