New £1m Cycle Way To Be Created From North Ballachulish To Corran

Works begin on Monday 16 November

A much anticipated cycle way is to be developed between North Ballachulish to Corran Ferry with the first phase of construction due to get underway on Monday 16 November.

This one million pound investment from SUSTRANS and HITRANS will connect the existing cycle way in North Ballachulish to the popular Corran Ferry terminal in Nether Lochaber. The cycle way will provide better sustainable transport facilities, increase cyclist and pedestrian safety and help to promote local tourism in the area. It has been designed following consultation with SUSTRANS, HITRANS, local community councils, local residents, The Highland Council and Transport Scotland.

The improvements will see the existing footway that runs alongside the A82 upgraded to provide a new 5.8km long cycle way through a phased programme of works over the next six months.

The existing footway will be widened, where practical, to 2.5m, and resurfaced to provide a smoother and safer journey for cyclists as well as providing better access for pedestrians.   A new 30m-span cycle bridge will be installed across the River Righ as part of the improvements.

The works will begin on Monday 16 November with the first phase being between the River Righ and the ferry access.  The rolling programme will see all phases of the improvements scheduled to be completed in the spring ahead of the busy tourist season.

To allow construction of the first phase to take place safely, temporary traffic lights will be in place during daylight working hours.   As the works progress into other phases the temporary traffic management will move along the A82 with advance notice given at each new phase.

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Unit Representative said: “Safety is our top priority and we are pleased to begin work on this long-awaited cycle way between North Ballachulish and Corran Ferry, which will help develop sustainable transport in the area as well as improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and will help to promote local tourism.”

“We will do everything possible to keep disruption to trunk road traffic to a minimum during these works, and thank motorists in advance for their patience whilst our teams build the new cycle way.”

Real time traffic information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org or twitter @trafficscotland.