From July to September over £12.9m has been invested in the North West Trunk Road network between planned maintenance, minor improvements, bridge and road safety schemes delivered on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Over 90 maintenance projects have been undertaken, including various projects on the Isle of Skye such as the A87 Broadford, Sligachan Junction, Blackhill Waterfall and Torra Michaig. 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. The programme also includes a major surfacing project worth £1.8 million for the A9 south of Pitlochry that got underway in September and is set to be completed in mid-October.

BEAR Scotland has also delivered a large maintenance project on the A9 between Inverness and Aviemore. The project saw 45km of road lining refreshed between Longman Roundabout in Inverness to the A9/A95 junction at Aviemore, creating better reflectivity at night and a safer road for motorists.

Safety barriers were upgraded on the A85 Stonefield Rail Bridge in Connel and the A85 at Tyndrum in July. A large safety barrier project on the A9 northbound at Drumochter also began early September and will continue until November. The £486,000 Transport Scotland investment involves upgrading and installing approximately 3.9 kilometres of safety barriers on the nearside verge of the northbound dual carriageway of the A9, providing safer journeys for all users.

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said: “We remain committed to ensuring trunk roads across the North West of Scotland are maintained to the highest of standards. It’s been a busy period over the Summer with a number of projects being carried out across the north west of Scotland as well as beginning the new Network Management Contract in mid-August.

“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 minimising disruption as much as possible.”