Appraisal of Strome Ferry Bypass options
At today’s (Thursday 16 August 2012) TEC Services Committee, members gave the go ahead for an Options Appraisal to be carried out for the A890 Strome Ferry Bypass. The cost for the work associated with Stage 1 (Options Generation and Sifting) and Stage 2 (Options Appraisal) is estimated to be £500,000 with funding coming from the Council’s general reserve.
Since the A890 Strome Ferry Bypass opened in 1970 there have been a number of rock face failures. The most recent of these occurred on 22 December last year when a major rock fall resulted in a 140 mile diversion for local traffic. The Council put alternative transport links in place while the specialist contractors carried the stabilisation works. The road reopened to traffic on 23 April 2012.
An extensive number of alternative solutions to the problem of rock instability above the road on the south side of Lochcarron were presented at a public meeting and exhibition held in Lochcarron at the end of June. They include a number of options for upgrading the existing route, the bridging of the narrows between Lochcarron and Stromeferry and building a by-pass through the Attadale Estate between Strathcarron Junction and Glen Udalain. Costs range from £23m to £115m and opportunities for external funding will be explored as part of the appraisal process which will be carried out in accordance with standard design methodology.
Chairman of the TECS Committee, Councillor Graham Phillips said: “Since the emergency road closure at the end of last year the council has been working closely with stakeholders and the local community to look at ways of developing a secure and effective transport link between Lochcarron and the Lochalsh area. Delivering a permanent solution is a complex and expensive project so we need to make sure we get it right.
“As we go through the various stages of design development we will ensure that we consult with local people and businesses and actively ask for their feedback. The decision taken today means we can get started right away so it is our plan to be able to come back to the community by the end of March 2013 after the work for Stage 1 is completed.”