Highland Council unveils its plan for a solution to A890 Stromeferry bypass rockfalls; new 14km/9 mile detour through Glen Udalain to Attadale would bypass notoriously unstable troublespot; but Ross-shire motorists may have to wait as no timeframe for the works has been announced
ROCKFALL misery along the Stromeferry bypass may one day end after Highland Council announced its preferred plans for a new nine-mile road detour around the notorious troublespot.
Crumbling cliff faces have brought decades of intermittent disruption to fed up communities and motorists dotted along the A890.
Rock falls have been an issue ever since the road opened in 1970, sparking massive diversions and a great deal of disruption to road users.
In recent years, a series of cliff stabilisation works and ongoing exploration of alternative routes, have raised hopes that a more permanent solution can be found.
And, after exploring several options for new bypass routes, Highland Council today confirmed it has selected option 2 –- a 14km long route which would pass through Glen Udalain to Attadale.
It has now thrown open a month-long consultation with various stakeholders and the communities to gather their views on the proposal.
But, while the moves will likely be welcomed by most residents, there still remains a big question as to when the new road will finally see the light of day – as the local authority has confirmed that "funding and programme still remains an issue for the delivery of any option".
A council spokesman said: "A Cross Party Working Group was formed at the beginning of last year to review the information contained within the route options appraisal carried out by the Council.
"The aim of the group, which is made up of elected members, is to make a recommendation of a preferred option.
"After reviewing the two remaining options, the group has today selected option 2 - the Glen Udalain to Attadale option.
"This recommends a 14km new section of road to the south of the existing Stromeferry Bypass.
"The new section of road deviates from the current A890 and follows the route of a forestry track up through Glen Udalain before descending through Glen Attadale and rejoining the current A890 at Attadale.
"Following the selection of the recommendation today, the council proposes a month of consultation with the stakeholders who took part in the appraisal workshops which looked at all of the previous options.
"This will provide an opportunity to comment on the recommended option. Meetings with the local communities are planned to gather comment and opinions and information will be available on the Highland Council’s web page.
"Following the close of the consultation period, a report of the recommended option and feedback from stakeholders and the local community shall be considered at the Economy and Infrastructure Committee where members will be asked to formally select the preferred option.
"The funding and programme still remains an issue for the delivery of any option but the Council remains committed to the maintenance of the existing route until an alternative becomes available."
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