Updated 13 December 2024: Due to the impact of recent cold weather on the programme, resurfacing on the A830 Fort William is unable to go ahead on Sunday 15, Monday 16 or Tuesday 17 December as planned. Surfacing is now planned to start on Tuesday 14 January 2025. The traffic lights will remain in place whilst the cycle path upgrades progress.
BEAR Scotland, working on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking improvement works to the shared use cycleway along the A830 connecting the A82/A830 Road to the Isles Roundabout, Fort William to Banavie Swing Bridge from Monday 4 November.
The project forms part of a series of proposed improvements along the A830 in Fort William and Corpach. These measures seek to improve walking, cycling and wheeling facilities in the area, fulfilling the Scottish Government’s aims of making these the most popular choice for everyday journeys.
The first phase of works will see upgrades at the junction between the A830 and B8006, opposite Lochaber High School. Works will be carried out between 7am and 5pm each working day. These improvements involve widening the existing shared use cycleways, upgrading dropped crossing points and improving accessibility. The existing traffic signals will also be upgraded, with changes made to improve journey times through Fort William. Improvements to the road surface and the road markings will also be carried out.
To ensure the safety of roadworkers and road users, 24-hour lane closures with temporary traffic lights will be in place for the duration of the work and safe pedestrian routes and crossing facilities will be maintained throughout. It is anticipated that these works shall take up to 12 weeks to complete, with no works over the two-week festive period.
For safety, it is planned to carry out the road resurfacing part of the works under convoy from 7pm until 6am each night. During this time, access to the A830 from the B8006 opposite Lochaber High School will be restricted. Therefore, road users will be diverted along Kilmallie Road to access the A830 east of Banavie Swing Bridge.
All works will be completed by Sunday 26 January, subject to weather and any other unforeseen delays. Consultations have been carried out with relevant stakeholders to share information about the project in advance.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: ““These works are part of an ongoing commitment to improve safety, quality, and comfort for people walking, wheeling or cycling on the A830. In addition, the changes to the traffic signals should also improve journey times for road users.
“The traffic management is essential to keep roadworkers and road users safe during this project, however we will do all we can to complete the project as quickly and as safely as possible.
“We encourage road users to plan their journey in advance by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date traffic information and allow some extra time to reach their destination. We thank locals and road users for their patience ahead of these road improvements.”
Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot, or on X at @trafficscotland.