Sinkhole repairs to keep key Dumfries route closed for weeks

A key route into and out of Dumfries which has been closed by a sinkhole is to stay shut for up to another four weeks.

Work began on the Annan Road more than a fortnight ago after a "void opened beneath the carriageway".

Scottish Water said repairs to a damaged sewer under the roadway had proved "technically challenging" and apologised for the disruption caused.

Rudi Miroli - who owns a fish and chip shop near the sinkhole - said the way the situation had been handled was "very disappointing".

The problems began on 28 May when a large hole appeared in the middle of the road, prompting the emergency closure and repairs.

Scottish Water said the damaged sewer was about 13ft (4m) underground so it needed the full width of the road to work in.

Initially it said that it was too early to say how long the repairs would take to complete but it has now said it might not be until the middle of July.

It follows thorough investigations under what Scottish Water described as "challenging conditions".

The situation has been complicated by the presence of multiple utilities underground and the need to make a replacement section of the sewer off-site.

In a statement, Scottish Water said: "Work to repair the damaged section of sewer underneath Annan Road in Dumfries is under way and we anticipate it will take up to a further four weeks to complete.

"This is a technically challenging repair and the road closure will need to remain in place for the duration of the works for the safety of the public and our operatives.

"We understand that the closure is causing disruption for customers and road users and we thank everyone impacted for their patience, understanding and co-operation."

It added that further investigations were taking place on the wider sewer network to see if any additional work might be needed.

"We will update customers should any further work be required," it said.

Rudi Miroli - who runs the nearby Noblehill Cafe - said previously that his takings had been halved after the closure of the normally busy road outside.

He criticised the way Scottish Water had handled the emergency and said he had not seen anyone working on the site over the weekend.

"It is just incredible, the lack of information and contrasting information," he said.

"The contractors told my son it might be another week.

"It is very disappointing the way they have handled it."