Sinkhole road closure in Dumfries cuts trade at nearby chip shop

A sinkhole that suddenly appeared on Annan Road, one of the busiest thoroughfares leading to Dumfries’ bypass, has prompted an emergency closure of the street. Since May 28, the road has remained closed as Scottish Water undertakes urgent repairs after discovering a void beneath the carriageway. The repair timeline remains uncertain, leaving local businesses adjacent to the site facing considerable challenges.

One of the hardest hit is Rudi Miroli, who has managed the Noblehill Cafe, a fish and chip shop next to the affected area, for over 40 years. He describes a dramatic reduction in customer numbers due to the road closure, which has significantly cut foot traffic. Miroli revealed that trade has dropped by more than half: “We’re over 50% down in turnover, which is understandable, but really appreciate a lot of our customers who have shown tremendous loyalty and made the effort to come.” However, the lack of clear information about the duration of the repairs is causing uncertainty in daily operations.

Scottish Water has explained that the damaged sewer pipe is located roughly four metres underground, necessitating a full road closure to safely carry out the work. The affected area has been fenced off, with a sizable hole visible where workers continue their assessments. “I spoke to the guys doing the job a couple of days ago and they still hadn’t dug down deep enough to fully assess it but they’re talking three weeks and possibly longer,” Miroli said. Meanwhile, pedestrian access remains open, with diversions in place to manage local movement around the site.

Recognizing the importance of Annan Road to the community, Scottish Water expressed their commitment to minimizing disruption and completing the repairs promptly and safely. They stated, “We appreciate this is a key route for people in Dumfries and everything will be done to minimise any disruption and to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible.” Despite these assurances, no definite timetable has been provided, leaving local shopkeepers anxiously awaiting news on when normal traffic—and footfall—will return

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