Improvement works progress well on ‘accident black spot’

Works to improve road safety of the locally known ‘leafy bends’ on the B9006 Croy to Clephanton road are progressing well.

Highland Council is pleased to report that works being carried out by contractors RJ McLeod are now showing the new shape of the 650m section of new road which is now clearly visible. Large radius bends have been used for the new carriageway to avoid creating a long straight speeding opportunity.

An existing band of Beech, Birch and Rowan trees has been maintained as has the significant Scots Pine at the west of the site. Landscaping works will also include the planting of 800 young trees, such as Birch, Hazel, Rowan, Holly and Cherry.

Colin Howell, Highland Council’s Head of Infrastructure visited the site recently and was very pleased with the progress made on the works. He said:

“This location at the bends is one of the worst accident black spots within Highland Council’s road network and the B9006/B9091 route has a number of sections where the alignment is below the expected standard.

“The project has been in the Council’s capital programme since 2012 and despite delays due to pressures on that programme, I am pleased that we are now delivering this improvement.”

He added: “I understand that the community has raised a number of concerns about road safety in the area and about the planning process for this particular section. My colleagues in the Project Design Unit have engaged with community representatives and listened to their concerns.

“Once completed, people will be able to drive the new section of road and experience for themselves the Council’s improved road design and appreciate that it will be an attractive and much safer section of road.”

Weather-depending, the new road opening is expected in March 2017.