Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Target date for partial re-opening of Stromeferry By-pass delayed

14th February 2012

The target date for the partial re-opening of the A 890 Stromeferry By-pass between Lochcarron and Kyle/Plockton has had to be delayed until Monday 27 February as the result of more extensive works being identified by the specialist contractors employed by The Highland Council to make safe the rockface and reopen the road.

At a public meeting at Achmore, near Plockton, last night, TRAC Engineering Ltd set out the challenges they are facing as they work round the clock to stabilise the rockface, clear rock, soil and vegetation from the hillside and install safety netting at a point 100 yards west of the Avalanche Shelter.

A landslide caused the closure of the road on 22 December, last year. Since then the Council has been providing a car and a passenger ferry to transport people between Lochcarron and Plockton/Kyle. An additional early morning train service between Strathcarron and Kyle has been ensuring that pupils from Applecross, Kishorn and Lochcarron get to Plockton High School on time.

Angus MacGregor, Operations Director of TRAC Engineering, told the meeting at Achmore that he has a squad of 40 workers sharing 24-hour working to make safe the unstable rockface. The Council has also engaged specialist consultants, URS, to advise them on the works required.

Mr MacGregor gave a slide presentation highlighting the challenges being faced by his workforce in removing rock and vegetation each day and making safe the crumbling rockface.

He explained that the instability of the rockface was such that the anticipated partial re-opening of the road could not be achieved by Friday 17 February. A more realistic target date was Monday 27 February.

He said: "Our detailed examination of the site has revealed the need for much more rock scaling, vegetation removal and additional stabilisation work than was originally envisaged. The health and safety of our workforce and the travelling public is paramount. We are making good progress, working round the clock, and we will recommend the reopening of the road - on a partial basis - when it is safe to do so."

When the road is able to partially re-open, opening will be between7 am and 7 pm under traffic control and convoy.

Traffic will get priority between 7am - 9am and between 4pm - 7pm when there will be no work carried out. One-way traffic will be led 800 metres through the works at 10 mph by a convoy vehicle. At 7 am, the first convoy will travel from Lochcarron to Plockton/Kyle.

Between 9am and 4pm, vehicles will be allowed through in convoy as works continue. Delays of up to 30 minutes can be expected at these times.

The road will be closed between 7pm and 7 am to allow works to proceed overnight.

Both ferries and the morning train into Kyle will continue to operate for at least one week following the partial road opening. At this time the Council will review the position to establish if they are still needed.

The current arrangements for school transport - ie travel by train to school and bus and ferry home - will continue during the week beginning 27 February and will be re-assessed after the first week of the partial road opening..

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the TEC Services Committee, said: "We are acutely aware of the inconvenience caused by the ongoing road closure and again want to thank the local communities for their patience and understanding in very trying times.

"Our contractor is working around the clock to make the rockface safe. Public safety is all important and this will be the over-riding issue when we decide when the road can partially re-open."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

13/12/2024
Highland Council Financial Update
Members have considered an update on the Council's medium term financial plan and the impact of the UK and Scottish Governments’ budgets on the coming year’s funding settlement.   The position is currently looking more positive than initially planned for, however more detail needs to be worked through.  
10/12/2024
Highland Visitor Levy Scheme Consultation Period ExtendedThumbnail for article : Highland Visitor Levy Scheme Consultation Period Extended
In November, The Highland Council launched a public statutory consultation to seek views on the proposed introduction of a Visitor Levy scheme across the Highlands.   The Council has announced an extension to this consultation period, which will now give businesses, visitors and communities until 31 March 2025, an additional seven weeks, to take part and have their say.  
5/12/2024
Tell us more - Highland Council launches budget engagement
In the light of the financial forecast for 2025-26, Highland Council is inviting you to tell us more in the budget preparation for the coming financial year.   The budget engagement builds on extensive budget participation which took place in the winter of 2023-24.  
2/12/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Monday 2 December 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
29/11/2024
Council Seeks Tenants Views On Rent For 2025/26
Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year.   The Council encourages everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say.  
28/11/2024
Highland Council Approach To Local Child Poverty
Communities and Place Committee met yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024) and Members agreed the Highland Local Child Poverty Action Report which includes actions for delivery in 2024/25.   Reducing child poverty is a priority for the Council and its partners.  
28/11/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Thursday 28 November 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
28/11/2024
Highland Council Committee Confirms Public Conveniences Action Plan
Members of the Highland Council's Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years.   Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites.  
28/11/2024
2024 State Of Local Government Finance In Scotland
A report published on 27 November 2024 by LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) looks at the state of funding for councils by the Scottish Government.   Confidence in the sustainability of council finances is critically low.  
27/11/2024
Waste management long term strategic direction
At today's (Wednesday 27 November 2024) Communities & Place Committee, Members agreed the most appropriate long-term strategic direction for residual waste management is to continue to utilise a merchant provider solution.   Communities & Place Committee Chair, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: "After careful consideration and analysis it has been agreed that a merchant provider solution is considered the most appropriate long term solution to our statutory waste management obligations, and that an energy-from- waste facility within the Highlands is not considered to be a suitable course of action.