Campaigners are celebrating after successfully securing a bus stop on a busy Skye road.
The new path and bus stop at Sligachan will not only help locals keep safe, but also the influx of tourists expected to explore the island this summer.
The A87 between Invergarry and Uig is already a busy road, with more people than ever staying in the UK this year, traffic is expected to increase.
Local woman Una Macleod is a regular user of the bus, but as there was no official stop she had to flag it down on the road.
She and other community members appealed to Bear Scotland to take action, and are delighted with the result.
The stop is already being well used and appreciated by locals and visitors alike, including those staying at the nearby Sligachan Hotel and campsite.
Bus stop a ‘much-needed asset’
Bear Scotland project engineer Bob Bruce said: “We’re so pleased that this project has been well received by the local community, and it’s been a real collaborative success in getting the project from the design stages to the final end result.”
Catriona Coghill is the owner of nearby Sligachan Hotel, which has greatly benefited from the new installation.
As well as the lay-by, a new path has been put in to improve access to the hotel and nearby campsite.
Ms Coghill said: “I’m delighted with the way this project has come to fruition with minimal disruption.
“Thanks to Una’s persistence, we now have a new bus stop at Sligachan which will provide safety, shelter and visibility for everyone, a much-needed asset for locals and tourists alike.”
While works were being done, drainage, barriers and road signs were also improved to improve the overall safety of the road.
A new footway and bus stop was officially opened on the #A87 at #Sligachan yesterday by Skye resident Una Macleod, who was joined by members of the local community. What a glorious view from the new bus stop! More here: https://t.co/nmKAMiwGMq pic.twitter.com/J2f9N3jP23
— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) June 29, 2021
Local councillors John Finlayson and Callum Munro also went along to the opening with members of the Bear Scotland team who worked on the project.
Mr Finlayson said: “This project is fantastic news for the local community and patrons of Sligachan Hotel and campsite. Importantly of course it also supports road safety for everyone, locals and tourists alike.”
Other stretches of the A87 have also undergone works this year to improve safety for road users.