Turning right onto the A9 at one of the Highlands’ most notorious junctions will be banned this month, it has been confirmed.
Concerns about the Munlochy junction on the Black Isle have been growing steadily for a number of years.
The latest move will see drivers stopped from going northbound on the A9 if they’re coming from the B9161 Munlochy road.
It’s a positive step.
But there is a long way to go before the junction loses its reputation as one of the north’s worst.
‘It’s definitely a good move’
The stretch of the A9 between the Kessock Bridge and the Tore roundabout is currently the focus of a major Transport Scotland study.
The Munlochy junction is one of the main parts of that work.
There have been calls for right turns from the A9 into the B9161 to be banned too.
But, for now, they are allowed.
In the long-term, there are a few different options.
It could become a roundabout. Traffic lights could be added and maybe even a flyover.
However, those options are expensive. They will also not be happening anytime soon.
Small improvements will have to do for now.
New street lights were the first step.
After that, banning right turns onto the A9 is the next one.
Knockbain Community Council is welcoming the latest move.
But its chairman John Stott would rather see the junction closed off altogether.
He said: “It’s definitely a good move. But it has taken a long time to do two things that were a no-brainer from day one.
“It’s time to just close off the whole junction. Crossing a dual carriageway trunk road like that, in the 21st century, is bonkers.”
Munlochy junction ‘one of the most dangerous’
Banning right turns onto the A9 was one of the short-term solutions suggested in the Transport Scotland consultation.
A total of 64% of the responses were positive. Among them were many saying it would resolve some driver confusion.
There were, however, some concerns about inconveniencing local people and increasing the amount of traffic passing through North Kessock.
Highland MSP Kate Forbes has been calling for improvements at the junction for years.
Ms Forbes, who is currently on maternity leave, said: “The Munlochy junction is one of the most dangerous sections of road in my constituency.
“Every time I drive past, I am mindful of the dreadful accidents that have taken place here. I understand the urgency for change.
“That is why I will keep fighting for a safer Munlochy junction.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman said the Tore roundabout is also being looked at for potential safety improvements.
He added: “We have undertaken a study for the Tore roundabout.
“It includes a number of possible options derived from community feedback, including the use of traffic signals together with associated crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
“We are investigating the potential for lowered speed limits around Tore to support these crossings and are in discussion with stakeholders on these points.
“Further works at Munlochy will be considered in light of the progress at Tore.”
A history of problems at Munlochy junction
Problems on this road are not new.
In other words, people have become used to hearing about accidents here.
In September 2020, almost one near-miss a minute was recorded by independent investigators tasked with assessing safety at the junction.
Between 2010 and that point, there were 29 crashes including one fatal accident and two in which people were left with serious injuries.
Inverness teenager Gregor McIntosh was a passenger in a friend’s car when he was killed in a three-vehicle crash at the junction in December 2019.
Another crash in November 2021 claimed the lives of two pensioners.
Even more recently, a 56-year-old man was charged after a minibus and a motorbike collided at the junction on October 25.
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