BEAR Scotland, working in partnership with Jacobs and Geo-Rope, successfully carried out emergency repairs and geotechnical assessments on a deteriorating rock face along the A828 trunk road between Ledaig and Benderloch. The emergency works, carried out on behalf of Transport Scotland, were completed promptly, ensuring the safety of road users, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Following a full road closure at 8pm on Friday 15 November, this section of the A828 was able to reopen under traffic signal control by 7pm on Saturday 16 November, just 23 hours after fully closing the road. This quick response addressed the potential hazard posed by a fractured 25-tonne rock mass located approximately 60 metres above the road.

Due to continued weathering and dilation of the joints, an area of rock had become isolated from the main rock face, compromising its stability. The bedrock in this area is a ‘conglomerate’ material, which is made up of gravel and cobbles held in a sandy matrix which is known to fail when wet.

BEAR Scotland identified the risk during a routine visual inspection, which revealed further deterioration in the condition of the rock face. It was determined that the block would be removed as it posed an immediate hazard to trunk road traffic and users of National Cycle Network 78.

To safeguard essential utilities beneath the road surface from potential impacts, the team implemented precautionary measures by partially closing the road on Thursday 14 November and installing an aggregate bund designed to cushion and contain falling debris.

In collaboration with geotechnical experts from Jacobs and specialist rope access subcontractor Geo-Rope, BEAR Scotland used a bespoke rope access and airbag method for block removal and scaling of the unstable rock mass.

Additional support for the works was provided by A&L McCrae, Markon, and Alba, ensuring efficient haulage, traffic management, and communication through variable messaging boards.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West representative, said: “We are delighted that the emergency works to remove the 25-tonne rock mass were successfully completed, allowing us to reopen the A828 to all users, including cyclists and pedestrians on National Cycle Network 78 with less than 24 hours.

“The A828, a vital link between the Ballachulish Roundabout (A82) and Connel (A85), will continue to be monitored and maintained. Plans for a comprehensive rock face stabilisation project in the area are currently underway.

“As part of our responsibility to maintain the trunk roads in the North West, which encompasses 1,422 km of trunk roads and 1,501 structures, BEAR Scotland remains committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of Scotland’s transport network.”