From July to September over £16M has been invested in the North West Trunk Road network between planned maintenance, minor improvements, landscaping, bridge and road safety schemes delivered on behalf of Transport Scotland. In addition, the Landscaping team carried out grasscutting across the trunk road network, from Campbeltown to Thurso.

A whole range of projects have been undertaken, including drainage improvements at the A82 east of Onich. The scheme involved installing an enhanced combined kerb drainage system, replacing the existing kerb and drainage gullies. This will ensure the efficient removal of water from the road during storm conditions.

Maintenance improvements included six locations on the A87 on the Isle of Skye, including Borve, North of Sligachan/Caiplach, Glen Torra and the Kyleakin Roundabout. The programme also included a major surfacing project worth £1.2 million for the A83 close to Clachan in Kintyre; £43,000 worth of road surface improvements on the A9 at Glenmorangie just south of Dornoch Bridge, and a £384,000 resurfacing project at the A99 south of Thurso (north of Hilliclay). These surfacing improvements have addressed and repaired deterioration in the road surface such as potholes or cracks, creating safer and smoother journeys for road users.

We also completed a project introducing 20mph speed limits in towns and villages along the North West’s trunk road network. This involved the installation of new 20mph signage and the removal of existing 30mph signage and road markings, to encourage compliance with the new speed limits.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said: “It’s been a busy period over the summer with a number of projects being carried out ahead of autumn and winter. Our teams have worked hard to complete a variety of schemes ranging from major surfacing improvements, maintenance works, and road safety upgrades. We would like to thank all road users and the local communities for their continued patience. We understand some frustrations can arise; however, we carefully plan projects with a view to minimizing disruption as much as possible.”