Knoydart landslide repairs progressing well

Following the landslip on the Knoydart Peninsula last Autumn work is progressing well and every effort is being made to get the affected section of single tracked road open to traffic for the Easter weekend.

Following the failure immediate steps were taken to re-establish pedestrian and quad bike access, and this has been maintained throughout the works.  An early action was also to reinstate the power lines that were severed during the landslip.

The rock faces have now been stabilised, and the slope has been excavated and foundations prepared at the toe of the slope to allow the reconstruction of the embankment and reinstatement of the road to proceed.

The route is a lifeline road for the communities beyond the slip which include Airor, Doune and Sandaig. There has been close liaison between the Council and the community, and every effort has been taken to minimise the disruption caused by this loss of essential road. 

Chair of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Allan Henderson said: “Firstly I would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding.  Anyone who has visited the site or seen the photos taken at the time showing the damage the landslip caused will be fully aware of the physical constraints the team has had to deal with as the road is on a very steep hillside with a sheer drop below.

“We knew from the start that there would be specific challenges to carry out the necessary survey work safely, find the best engineering solution and then get materials to site. Working over the winter months has not been easy but by Easter we hope to be able to re-open the road with only minor works left to complete.

 “Everyone is really working hard and the local community have been very understanding and appreciative of the Highland Council so over the next few weeks the push is on to get the work finished."