Feasibility study on Berriedale Braes’ improvements welcomed

The Highland Council has welcomed news that a study is to be carried out to identify improvements to the alignment of the north hairpin on the Berriedale Braes, Caithness. 

Transport Scotland, the trunk road authority, will commission a geotechnical study which is being supported by a £40,000 funding package from The Highland Council, HITRANS and Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd. 

Scottish Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson, confirmed the go ahead for the study at a recent meeting in Edinburgh with a deputation from The Highland Council. 

Council Leader Councillor Michael Foxley welcomed the breakthrough. He said: “Improvements to the Berriedale Braes are a priority of The Highland Council and we are pleased that the Minister has confirmed that a study is to be carried out to examine what can be done at the north hairpin.” 

The recent meeting with Mr Stevenson was attended by Councillor Foxley, Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee and Councillor Jimmy Gray, Provost of Inverness.  On the agenda was a review of progress on the projects contained in the Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), and other transport issues affecting the Highlands.

The meeting was constructive, with progress reported on the work being undertaken by Transport Scotland to review the work previously carried out by the Council in relation to the new trunk road line for the A96 and the A9, and the Nairn Bypass. This will feed into the Highland-wide Development Plan. It was also agreed that a meeting is arranged to discuss the overall route plan for the A82, involving other key stakeholders, including Argyll and Bute Council and HITRANS. 

Work in relation to the western end of the Trunk Link Road, which involves the crossing of the river Ness and the Caledonian Canal is progressing, and the Stakeholder group (The Highland Council, Transport Scotland, British Waterways and now with Historic Scotland and SEPA) is currently reviewing a number of technical issues including the impact on the River Ness flood plain. It is hoped to have a range of options developed for consultation in the autumn. 

It was confirmed that the Council had provided sufficient information to allow local improvements to the trunk road network on the approaches to Torgoyle Bridge on the A87, should funding become available in the future. 

Councillor Foxley said: “We now meet regularly with the Minister and senior Government officials to discuss, consider and advance our trunk road improvements.  These meetings are very beneficial.”

Councillors David Flear, Landward Caithness,  and John Rosie, Thurso, have welcomed the go ahead of the Berriedale study. 

 Councillor Flear said the accident underlined the dangers of the Berriedale Braes, the latest of which happened on Friday 7 May and involved a coach carrying pupils from Orkney.

He said: “I am pleased that we have, at last, made some headway in getting improvements to this hazardous stretch of the A 9 between Helmsdale and Wick/Thurso. Hopefully the study will identify what can be achieved and we can then press for the necessary investment.  The recent accident clearly demonstrates the pressing need for the feasibility study to be carried out and for the Council to urge the Scottish Government to dedicate significant funds to this project.” 

Councillor Rosie said: “We are lucky that the coach did not tumble down the cliff side. It was a near miss.  

“The go ahead for the study is a breakthrough and we must keep the pressure on the Scottish Government to invest in this lifeline road to Caithness.”