A new £280,000 surfacing project on the National Cycle Network Route 7 (NCN7) through Drumochter is underway this week which will see cyclists benefit from an improved surface.
The project involves resurfacing almost four miles of the cycle path between The Wade Stone and Dalnaspidal, creating a smoother and safer journey for people who choose active travel. The upgrades follow on from a surfacing project carried out on sections of the route last year, which runs parallel to the A9 through Drumochter.
The improvements are programmed to take up to four weeks to complete and will take place between 7am and 7pm each day, with no works taking place at the weekends.
To ensure the safety of roadworkers and path users, the cycle track will require to be temporarily closed between the scheme extents during the project.
Information boards will be situated at closure points advising cyclists and walkers of the next available opportunity to re-join the cycle track. During this time, cyclists and walkers wishing to travel between The Wade Stone and Dalnaspidal will be required to use an alternative route.
As this option is likely to involve travelling on the A9, BEAR is providing a shuttle service travelling between the closure points for cycle track users who do not wish to travel on the A9 trunk road. The shuttle vehicle is available between 7am and 7pm and a contact phone number along with instructions to follow will be provided at each closure point. As some cyclists may wish to travel on the A9, ‘Cyclist’ warning signs will be situated at regular intervals along the A9 to increase driver awareness.
Short sections of lane closures will be in place on the A9 at intermittent periods during the project to allow for the safe delivery of surfacing materials.
Strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government guidance, will be in place to ensure all site personnel remain safe once the project gets underway. New safe operation procedures and risk assessments have also been developed to ensure teams and the public are kept safe throughout the project.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said: “The £280,000 investment from Transport Scotland will allow our teams to carry out this essential resurfacing project at this section of Route 7 of the National Cycle Network, greatly improving the condition and safety of the route in this area.
“We’ve changed our ways of working in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure all staff and the local community are kept safe at all times, and all personnel will be subject to strict physical distancing protocols in line with Scottish Government guidance.
“The temporary restrictions on the cycle path are essential to ensure the safety of roadworkers as well as users of the route, however we’ve taken steps to help minimise disruption by avoiding working over the weekends and offering a shuttle service to those who do not wish to travel temporarily on the A9.
“Our teams will look to do all they can to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible. We thank cycle track users and the local community in advance for their patience while we carry out the project. We encourage road users to plan their journeys in advance by checking the Traffic Scotland website before setting off for up to date traffic information.”
Real-time journey planning information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland, or the new mobile site my.trafficscotland.org
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