Lengthy tailbacks and congestion through Fort William could soon become a thing of the past.
Highland Council has started work on a study to identify how best to improve transport movement in and around the town.
In the summer there were regular tailbacks of up to seven miles on the A82 Inverness to Glasgow road as locals, businesses and tourists struggled to get across Fort William.
The council say that they recognise investment is urgently needed due to pressure on the existing transport network caused by increasing visitor numbers and employment-led growth.
Consultants AECOM have been appointed to conduct a study to identify opportunities for transport improvements which will economic developments within the area, such as the major expansion of the local aluminium factory.
The scope of work includes road, railway, marine and active travel infrastructure.
It will be overseen by a steering group which includes representatives of the Highland Council, Hitrans, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Transport Scotland.
The study is being jointly funded by Hitrans, HIE and the council.
A draft pre-appraisal report is to be delivered by early summer.
Councillor Allan Henderson, chairman of Hitrans and Highland Council’s Environment Development and Infrastructure committee said a key element of the appraisal would be consultation with stakeholders in the Lochaber area.
He said: “Fort William is a dynamic and diverse area. It is a truly multi-modal area, served directly by road and rail, with onward connections to ferry ports on the west coast. It is also served by long distance cycling and walking routes. It not only functions as a place to live and work, but has strategic economic importance as a leisure and tourism hub, promoted as the Outdoor Capital of the UK. The area continues to grow in terms of land use development, and visitor numbers, generating additional trips using the existing transport infrastructure.
“The best people to tell us the problems are the key transport providers and users of the local transport network and I’m sure they will have some pretty good ideas on how to fix them. I’m sure the consultants will be busy speaking with the stakeholders to identify the opportunities that will influence the development of solutions.”
Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes said: “I am so delighted that progress is being made to improve the A82 with the appointment of consultants to look at opportunities to relieve pressure in and around Fort William.”
