Why is the road closed on East Clyde Street and Maitland Street, Helensburgh?
The state of the privately owned buildings and lack of maintenance by the various private owners, has made the area unsafe for use and has led to road closures.
An inspection of the derelict buildings at 5-7 East Clyde Street and 9-11 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh by Argyll and Bute Council's Building Standards and its appointed structural engineer, found the conditions of the buildings to be unsafe. To protect public safety, the decision was taken to close off the roadway and restrict access, as there is a risk of further collapse of the building.
What’s wrong with the building?
The inspection highlighted a partial collapse of the gable wall of 5-7 East Clyde Street. Assessments from an independent structural engineer identified high risks of further deterioration and collapse.
Who owns the buildings?
The buildings are in private ownership with 5/7 East Clyde Street under multiple ownership and 9-11 East Clyde Street under a different ownership. These owners are responsible for making the buildings safe, including the maintenance, repair and demolition.
Is the town centre still open for business?
Yes, and public transport and car parking remain in place. Signage is in place to advise that businesses are open along with diversion routes.
Are businesses open?
All businesses remain open and access has been provided for customers between the road closure at Maitland Street and the dangerous buildings.
What roads are currently closed around East Clyde Street, Helensburgh?
Due to the dangerous buildings, East Clyde Street (A814) is closed from Sinclair Street to Maitland Street (including pedestrian access). Access remains to the commercial and residential premises between the buildings and Maitland Road, from the east side of the town.
How long will the road be closed for?
The road closure will be in place until the buildings are made safe, and this is likely to involve partial or full demolition of the properties.
We have implemented a 12-month Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to manage traffic safely and to enable legal processes and works to complete. We will make every effort to minimise this timescale.
The map below shows the extent of the road closures and further details of the diversions are available here - Road and Footway Closure - East Clyde Street, Helensburgh
Why close the roads?
The state of the buildings is making the area unsafe for use and has led to road closures. Our main priority is public safety. By closing the roads, we can provide a safe site around the dangerous building to protect pedestrians and road users in the event of further collapse. We have also provided a working area to allow demolition of the building.
Why can’t the Council demolish the building now?
As the building is privately owned, it is the responsibility of the owners to carry out the works. The Council has taken formal action to close the road and prevent access in the interests of public safety.
We can undertake works in default of a Dangerous Buildings Notice, but due legal process must be followed.
What is the Council doing about it?
Our Building Standards Team has inspected the property with a structural engineer and closed the road to protect public safety. We have served Dangerous Buildings Notices on all owners that require them to take actions to make the buildings safe, through demolition.
We have engaged with all owners to discuss whether an owner-led demolition scheme is possible. These discussions are ongoing, but the complexity of ownership is challenging.
We are now considering our legal position and preparing for the eventuality that we may need to carry out the works in default and recover costs from the owners.
When will works begin on demolishing the properties?
This is not yet known, as the owners have responsibility for instructing works.
The Council can carry out works in default of the Dangerous Buildings Notice under the Building (Scotland) Act but are required to follow due legal process. Timescales will increase as there have been appeals against the Dangerous Buildings Notice. This will delay matters further.
Can affected businesses apply for rates relief as a result of the road closures?
The state of the buildings has made the area unsafe for use so it was necessary to close the roads.
Whilst recognising the inconvenience and disruption caused by the dangerous building road closures, rates relief is only available to businesses who have had to close as a result of these measures.
Businesses can contact the Assessor (Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Valuation Joint Board) to see if there is any help they can offer.
When will works start on the buildings?
The buildings are privately owned and responsibility to start works rests with the owners. We are doing everything we can to support a solution but have limited powers with a complex ownership situation. We will continue to engage with the owners to try and facilitate a solution.
Why isn’t the Council demolishing the building?
In simple terms, it’s the responsibility of the private owners
The Council does not have responsibility or powers to carry out demolition works to the buildings at this time. However, we are following a legal process and preparing for the eventuality that we may have to carry out demolition works in default and recover costs from the owners.
Actions taken to prevent access of the site, have protected public safety in the first instance. We will continue to engage with the owners and our structural engineer, to consider our legal position under the Buildings (Scotland) Act and to ensure that public safety is protected through the road closure and diversions.
