Disruptive works at Stromeferry are 'progressing well'
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HIGHLY disruptive roadworks near Stromeferry are "progressing well" and should be complete by around November 23, Highland Council has revealed.
Contractors are currently carrying out work to shore up the cliff face above the A890 in a bid to tackle the area’s notorious landslip problems. But the work is very intensive and requires the repeated closure of the vital road link multiple times every day.
A road-rail diversion onto the neighbouring railway tracks has been created to allow key through-access for cars but this can only operate during gaps in rail services – causing serious disruption to drivers who miss those windows. At peak times the queues waiting for a window can stretch back 100 cars in each direction.
Highland Council has now given an update on the works’ progress, and urged the public to plan their journeys carefully to avoid missing one of the windows when the diversion is operating.
Cllr Allan Henderson, the chairman of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee, said: "We have worked closely with Network Rail and our contractor to keep disruption to road users to a minimum when the road/rail diversion is in place but inevitably there will be times when road users will face longer waits so we urge people to plan their travel carefully."
Questions and answers about the works have also been published online following public meetings. They are available at www.highland.gov.uk
Meanwhile, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, Kate Forbes, has called for train services between Strathcarron and Kyle to be suspended during the works to reduce the disruption. She said bus replacement services would have less of an impact than the road closures.
She said: "It’s been well documented that the current convoy system is having a hugely detrimental impact on pupils attending Plockton High School as well as local businesses.
"The situation is far from ideal. I believe a better solution is that ScotRail and Network Rail should terminate all trains at Strathcarron and for a bus replacement service to operate and call at all stations between Strathcarron and Kyle. This would allow the road to rail section to be open whilst works continue on the rock face."
