Evanton locals’ ‘extreme concern’ over three-month road closure
Residents in Evanton have been voicing “extreme concern” over plans for a three-month closure of the A862 – a vital artery linking the Easter Ross village with Dingwall – with community council representatives stating they “were not adequately consulted” on the decision.
Kiltearn Community Council (KCC) has made clear its strong opposition to the way the proposed closure has been handled, accusing authorities of overlooking the village in the planning process.
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A862 between Dingwall and Ardullie to be closed for three months for pipeline work
The closure, designed to facilitate Scottish Water pipeline works between the Ardullie roundabout and Dingwall, will deny Evanton residents access to a main route relied upon daily for school access, medical appointments, and public transport.
A representative of the community council said: “We understand the need to safeguard the water supply network but we are extremely concerned that the local community were not adequately consulted on the intended closure of the A862 between Cromarty Bridge and Dingwall.”
The road is a key transport link for residents of Evanton, serving as the primary route to Dingwall for schoolchildren, commuters and public transport users.
With the closure in place, drivers will be forced to use a lengthy diversion route via the A835 and Tore roundabout, adding around 15 minutes to the journey.
In an effort to raise concerns and find practical alternatives, KCC convened a meeting on May 21, attended by a Highland Council roads officer via Microsoft Teams.
During the meeting, KCC expressed its disappointment at being omitted from the original Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) notice issued in early May.
KCC say they only received formal consultation on May 19 – four days after the consultation window had already opened and following their own request to be included.
In response, Highland Council confirmed that the initial suggestion that public service vehicles (PSVs) would be permitted through the works was an error, and this has since been amended.
A revised TRO is now to be re-advertised, but frustration remains high in Evanton, with concerns that even now, the alternatives being presented risk increased disruption and danger.
One proposal – to restrict use of the Old Evanton Road during the works, permitting access only to people who live on the route and buses – has raised alarm.
A Kiltearn Primary School parent said: “The approach to Old Evanton Road in the village itself is next to Kiltearn Primary School and it is already an extremely busy stretch of road. It’s really concerning that we will soon have buses on that route too.
“The school crossing there is already without a crossing patroller and it can be dangerous even at the best of times. Increased traffic on that road is a big worry.”
John McHardy, chairman of Kiltearn Community Council, said: “The proposal to restrict use of the Old Evanton Road during the works would do nothing to limit potential dangers resulting from increased use by drivers viewing this as an alternative to the signposted Tore diversion.
“In addition, the reality is that the two other Black Isle roads would see increased use –
both of which would require right turns across the trunk road if used as an alternative to the A862.
“As a community council we very much seek to work with Highland Council and Scottish Water to find solutions will secure the water infrastructure but in a way which does not unnecessarily disrupt the day-to-day activities of local people or indeed prove to bring them into positions of danger.
“We need greater recognition that the A862 serves as an essential link between Easter Ross and the County Town.
“This is particularly important for Evanton residents, many who rely on public transport, accessing school and medical services.
“Ideally, we would want the pipework to be within “soft” areas out with the road, alternatively we expect that works are organised to allow most traffic to use the A862 during the works – lights, or lights and convoy, accepting that heavier HGVs may need to be diverted via Tore.”
The Ross-shire Journal has contacted Highland Council and Scottish Water for comment.
