9 routes for new Strome Ferry Bypass unveiled at Lochcarron drop in session

Members of the public are being invited to attend a drop-in session at Lochcarron Village Hall on Saturday (1 – 5 pm) to view nine routes in three separate corridors which have been identified for further examination as the new Stromeferry Bypass on the A 890 road between Lochcarron and Kyle.

Comments made at the session will be incorporated in a report being presented to The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee on Thursday 16 May.

The choice of nine routes for more detailed scrutiny follows the creation of a Stakeholder Group, involving the local community, business interests, HIE, and other interested bodies, which was formed to assist with the process. 5 Stakeholder meetings were held to agree the project objectives, and to help identify the possible solutions. A total of 31 routes were identified. 14 were discounted as they did not satisfy the scheme objectives.  17 remaining routes were examined in more detail and 9 routes are being taken forward to the second stage of the process, which is called an Options Appraisal.

URS (Consultants) were appointed by The Highland Council to carry out the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) Stages 1&2.  It is proposed that stage two should be completed by the spring of next year and the route agreed by the autumn of 2014.

The routes which are recommended to be taken forward to a second stage of appraisal are:

Northern Corridor (3)
• Route through Lochcarron with bridge crossing
• Route through Lochcarron with barrage
• Bypass Lochcarron with Bridge crossing

Online Corridor (5)
• Viaduct
• Tunnel
• Do-minimum
• Shared use with railway
• Avalanche shelter

Southern Corridor (1)
• Glen Udalain

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the TEC Services Committee, said: “The Programme for the Highland Council contains a commitment to develop options for a long term solution which provides a secure and effective transport link between Lochcarron and Lochalsh in consultation with partners and the local community, and pursue options for securing external funding.

“The Stakeholder Group have greatly assisted in the process of whittling down the many options to 9 routes for further examination.  I hope the public take the opportunity to view the progress we are making with this important project.”