A community leader has hit out at the lack of progress finding a solution for a Wester Ross road blighted by landslides.
The A890 Stromeferry bypass in Wester Ross has been hit by rockfalls for several years, most recently in the past fortnight when heavy rain caused the busy route to be closed.
The road has only partially reopened while debris is cleared away.
A major consultation was held earlier this year outlining possible routes to avoid the troubled bypass.
Options include a new low-level bridge across the Strome narrows, a shared viaduct with the railway along the shore of Loch Carron and building a new road south of the loch through Gleann Udalain.
However, the council has yet to decide on their preferred option and will look at ways of funding the project before continuing.
Yesterday a Highland Council committee gave permission to officers to find the funds needed to pay for a solution.
However, Lochcarron Community Council chairwoman Helen Murchison said communities had been “disturbed” by the recent rockfall and were disappointed by the lack of communication from the authority.
She said: “There’s been a great deal of disquiet about the whole thing.
“People are very concerned about the prospect of another winter with a bypass which isn’t safe and with no real understanding of what will be done about it.”
She added: “We’ve really not been told what’s happening. We haven’t heard from the council since about May so that’s not ideal.”
At yesterday’s meeting, local ward member councillor Audrey Sinclair admitted she had been “slightly disappointed” by the report put before the council yesterday.
She added: “We’ve got to ensure we can move forward. I’d like to see a clearer timetable of what is going to happen and ensure it doesn’t slip out our minds.”
The road is used by locals, and is also one of the main routes to Kyle and the Skye Bridge.
Councillor Graham Phillips said the route was “economically imperative” to the entire region.
Committee chairman councillor Thomas Prag said that a further report would be put before members within six months, while Colin Howell, Highland Council’s head of infrastructure, said that a number of potential sources would be considered, including Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government and the European Union.