Transport Chairman starts final contract on Skye road. (10/10/07)

The start of the sixth and final contract to upgrade the A851 road between Broadford and Armadale, Sleat, Isle of Skye, was marked today (Wednesday) at a turf cutting ceremony.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Transport Environment and Community Services Committee and Vice-Chairman of HITRANS, the strategic transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, cut the first turf on a 3.5 kilometre stretch of road between Teangue and Kilbeg.

The Highland Council has awarded a contract worth £2.5 million to R J McLeod Ltd, who also completed the third phase from Isle Ornsay to Teangue; the fourth phase between Armadale and the Gaelic College at Sabhal Mor Ostaig; and the fifth phase between Duisdale and Duisdalemore..

Funding of more than £15 million for the improvements to this route has been provided by The Highland Council, with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund.

In January 2003, HITRANS launched a campaign to make greater progress in transforming 1,700 km of lifeline single track roads to modern standards, at an estimated cost of £400 million. The A851 was part of the Wester Ross and Skye strategic circuits identified in the HITRANS campaign.

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