£16 Million Upgrade for Garden of Skye
The completion of the fifth and final phase of improvements to one of Scotland’s most popular tourist routes was celebrated today (Friday) with an opening ceremony. £16 million has been invested in Sleat, Skye, on the upgrade of 14.5 miles between Broadford – Armadale, transforming the tortuous A851 single track road into a modern six-metre wide two- lane carriageway on a free-flowing alignment.
The road has been sensitively designed to blend in with the environment of this highly scenic area of Skye with splendid views over the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart and Loch Nevis. The new road connects with the Armadale – Mallaig ferry and to the A830 Fort William to Mallaig trunk road, where major improvements are nearing completion. The ferry is now roll on roll off, providing an alternative route used by many tour buses as a circular tour to Skye.
The final £2.5 million contract, involving a 3.5 kilometre stretch of road between Teangue and Kilbeg, was carried out for The Highland Council by R J McLeod Ltd, who also completed three earlier phases. All of the phases have been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
In opening the final phase of the road, Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee, said: “The Sleat road must now be one of the best in the Highlands. It provides a safe and speedier journey for local motorists, public transport and service vehicles and is a very welcome economic boost to the area. The road can now cope with the many touring coaches and visitors that are now attracted to this area of Skye via the Mallaig – Armadale ferry which has a modern Ro-Ro linkspan facility.”
Sandy Osborne, Director of RJ McLeod, said: “RJ McLeod are delighted to have been involved in this the final phase of the Broadford to Armadale upgrade. Having already completed three of the previous phases we have developed a strong working relationship with the local community and have enjoyed working in close co-operation with The Highland Council to deliver an efficient and economical design with an end product that is testament to all those involved.”
More than 90 guests, including pupils from Bun-Sgoile Shleite, the Gaelic Medium Primary School at Sleat, which has an English department, were welcomed to the ceremony by Neil Gillies, Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services. The youngest boy, Ewen Jeffrey and girl, Sìleas Urquhart, helped cut the ribbon to mark the opening.
Work began on the A 851 at Broadford in 1997 and the project includes 12 bridges, 123 culverts and 132,000 tonnes of road construction materials in the carriageway as well as 35 otter crossings. . Land was acquired or agreed with 91 landowners and tenants.
Townships involved are Sculamus, Duisdale, Toravaig, Armadale, Duisdalemore, Saasaig, Ferindonald, Kilmore, Kilbeg .
The route passes through an SSSI and the preserved landscape (Clandonald policies at Armadale Castle – the garden of Skye). Some bridges incorporate masonry parapets.
There was a major landslip during the course of the improvements and significant damage caused during the January 2005 storm and tidal surge.
The project was designed and procured in-house by the Council’s Project Design Unit, Dingwall. Contractor Kenneth Stewart of Strathpeffer completed phases 1 and 2.