The Highland Council has installed automatic bollards on Fort William High Street as part of the Fort William Pedestrian Improvement Scheme. The High Street pedestrian zone will commence from Monday 25 May 2026.
The scheme will deliver safety and accessibility improvements for residents, visitors and businesses. These enhancements will create a more accessible environment, particularly benefiting people with mobility or visual impairments.
Automatic systems are:
- Fully automated bollards operating without manual intervention, using in-road vehicle detection loops to identify vehicle position and control movement, aligned with the current Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
- Access restrictions in place: no waiting at any time; no vehicle access Monday–Friday (11am–3pm) and Saturday (10am–5pm), with access at other times limited to disabled users and essential business loading.
- Enforceable restrictions, with unauthorised access subject to enforcement penalty by Police Scotland.
- Standard traffic signal controls to manage vehicle movement.
- Optional audible warning system to enhance pedestrian and driver awareness.
- Fail-safe monitoring systems preventing bollard operation in the event of traffic signal failure.
- Appropriate safety signage to support clear communication of restrictions.
- Integration with CCTV systems, emergency service access controls, and PIN keypad override for authorised use.
Lochaber Area Committee Chair, Cllr Kate Willis, said: “The Pedestrian Improvement Scheme will enhance the appearance and functionality of the High Street to meet modern day use, also helping to create a more attractive and welcoming town centre.
“The scheme supports active travel, with an existing HI-BIKE hub, and its popularity as a cycling route, the High Street will now offer a safer shared space for cyclists and pedestrians, encouraging more sustainable travel choices.
“Our thanks go to the Lochaber Roads team for their careful coordination of the installation, and for working closely with partners including emergency services and local businesses to ensure the new automatic bollard system is well understood and operates safely and effectively.
“The improvements are also expected to benefit the local economy. Fort William High Street forms part of the start and finish of the West Highland Way, one of Scotland’s most popular long-distance walking routes, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Enhancing the area’s safety, accessibility and appearance will strengthen its appeal to residents and visitors.”
The project has been partly supported by Community Regeneration Funding, which brings together Scottish Government funding streams, including the Highland Coastal Communities Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme, aimed at supporting economic regeneration and sustainable development across Highland.