Options Appraisal report for A890 Stromeferry Bypass on target

The outcome of the first stage of assessment of options for replacing the A890 Stromeferry Bypass will be completed by the end of April and recommendations considered by the TEC Services Committee on Thursday 16  May.

Options range in costs between £23 million and £115 million – from by-passing the existing loch-side route via the Attadale Estate between Strathcarron Junction and Udalain and bridging the narrows between Lochcarron and Stromeferry.

Consultants URS Infrastructure and Environment UK Ltd have been commissioned by the Council to develop and define the options as part of a STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) report. 
They have been assisting Council officials in engaging with local interested groups in appraising the options, which were unveiled at a public meeting in Lochcarron in June last year.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chair of the TEC Services Committee, said:  “I fully appreciate the importance of the assessment of the options to remove the hazards of rockfall on the existing A890 and am pleased to assure local residents that we are on target to report our findings by the end of April and agree a way forward at our May meeting.”

Since the bypass opened in 1970 there have been a number of rock face failures, the most recent of these occurring on Christmas Day, last year.

Councillor Phillips commended Council staff and contractor, TRAC, for their prompt response to the latest rockfall.  The road re-opened on 27 December following removal of an overhanging crag.