Stromeferry bypass

Options appraisal

We have carried out an extensive appraisal process in order to identify a preferred solution to the rock fall prone A890 Stromeferry Bypass road. The road has been subject to numerous closures because of rockfalls, and also due to the regular work which is carried out to inspect and stabilise the slopes. Rock falls have been an issue since the road opened in 1970 resulting in lengthy diversions and disruption to road users. 

A Cross Party Working Group was formed at the beginning of last year to review the information contained within the route options appraisal carried out by the Council. The aim of the group, which is made up of elected Members, was to make a recommendation of a preferred option. After reviewing the two remaining options, the group recommended the Glen Udalain to Attadale option.

This option is a 14km new section of road to the south of the existing Stromeferry Bypass. The new section of road deviates from the current A890 and follows the route of a forestry track up through Glen Udalain before descending through Glen Attadale and rejoining the current A890 at Attadale. The route is shown in green in the options route plan.

The stakeholders who took part in the previous appraisal workshops will now be given the opportunity to comment on the recommendation. Meetings with the local communities had been scheduled for the 19th March at Achmore Village Hall and on the 20th March in Lochcarron Village Hall, but these have now been postponed due to guidance received on COVID-19 (coronavirus). These will be rescheduled and the consultation period shall also be extended.

Following the close of the consultation period, a report including feedback on the recommendation shall be put before the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, and Members will be asked to support the recommended option. The funding and programme still remains an issue for the delivery of any option but the Council remains committed to the maintenance of the existing route until an alternative becomes available.

The scoring matrix and presentation from the Cross Party Working Group meeting are available to download. 

If you would like to comment on the recommended option, please email us at stromeferryoptions@highland.gov.uk

Cross Party Options Selection Group meetings

• Minutes and presentation from the first meeting on 20 March 2019 (refer to item 22 of the Minutes, page 87)
• Minutes from the second meeting on 13 December 2019 (refer to item 8vii)

Design Manual for Roads and Bridges/Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance Report on the Stromeferry Bypass

A revised Design Manual for Roads and Bridges DMRB Stage 2 Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) report was submitted to Transport Scotland for consideration in September 2017.  

• Stromeferry Options Appraisal DMRB Stage 2/STAG Report July 2017.pdf 1.4MB

The appendices which accompany the report are available to download. 

Some of these documents have large file sizes. 

• Appendix A Drawings.pdf 35.5MB
• Appendix B Geotechnical Desk Study Part 1.pdf 33.7MB
• Appendix B Geotechnical Desk Study Part 2.pdf 30.6MB
• Appendix B Geotechnical Desk Study Part 3.pdf 36.3MB
• Appendix C Peat Management Tech. Note.pdf 9.2MB
• Appendix D Tunnel Report.pdf 3.0MB
• Appendix E Environment Assessment Part 1.pdf 7.0MB
• Appendix E Environment Assessment Part 2.pdf 35MB
• Appendix E Environment Assessment Part 3.pdf 29.5MB
• Appendix F Online Buildability Tech. Note.pdf 0.3MB
• Appendix G Strome Narrows Bridge Tech. Note.pdf 3.0MB
• Appendix H Consenting and Statutory Process.pdf 0.1MB
• Appendix I Business Survey Report.pdf 1.9MB
• Appendix J Appraisal Summary Tables.pdf 0.1MB

Previous DMRB Stage 2/STAG report

Findings were reported to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee on 5 November 2014.

• Options appraisal stage 2 final report volumes 1 to 3 (published November 2014)

Stage 1

• Options appraisal Stage 1, Final Report (May 2013)
• Options appraisal Stage 1, Appendix A

Pre appraisal period 

• Documents from the initial study period