DRIVERS on the A72 are likely to face disruption for ‘a number of weeks’, with traffic lights to remain in place following Friday’s landslide at Dirtpot corner.
A council spokesman told The Southern that a similar netting solution could be used on the newly affected area to that which was successfully installed at the turn of the year.
He added: “Traffic signals are likely to be in place for a number of weeks whilst a suitable longer term solution is determined and put in place.”
The road was closed for nearly 12 hours following the fall of stones and soil at around midnight on Thursday. The slide occurred about half a mile to the east of the infamous landslide spot at Dirtpot corner.
Following work to clear the road surface of the debris and carry out checks on the stability of the slope, traffic controls were put in place and the road was re-opened shortly before lunchtime on Friday.
Emergency work to clear the slope and further ensure its safety was carried out on Saturday. The council has said that the area concerned has not had a history of such problems. Rob Dickson, the council’s director of environment and infrastructure, said: “The landslip happened on a section of banking at Dirtpot corner that has not been affected by landslips in the past.”
The council is to meet with the landowner, the Forestry Commission, and Scottish Natural Heritage to discuss necessary longer term repair work on the slope.
Scottish National Heritage has to be involved as the affected area forms part of the Nut Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest.