Bear Scotland is to start work on overgrown trees at the side of a main Highland road amid fears they could cause a serious accident.
The trunk road operator has pledged to start work today on trimming back plants near the A9 after concerns were raised that the vegetation was impairing motorists’ views.
Farmer Angus McCall’s land is dissected by the trunk road at Culmaily Farm, just south of Golspie. At the moment drivers need to edge uphill past overhanging bushes and branches before pulling out onto the road to cross the carriageway.
Recent silage cutting also meant tractors and trailers were crossing the road up to 60 times a day to access the silage bin on the other side.
As a result Mr McCall raised the issue with East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Graham Phillips last month, who then wrote to Bear Scotland highlighting the need for urgent action to be taken to prevent a fatal accident.
He said the problem was “an accident waiting to happen” and said it has worsened in the past three years because the vegetation had not been properly maintained.
Mr McCall also said he had previously suggested Bear could cut back the trees while workmen were in the area replacing gravel in the ditches at the side of the road. But he claimed the agency did not resolve the problem.
In another e-mail, sent to Bear earlier this week, Mr Phillips wrote: “Please take this as a formal warning of significant potential for a fatal accident at this location.
“Tractors are forced to emerge blind onto a high speed section of the A9, and this situation is liable to repeat itself until something is done. That something must be done urgently, please.”
As a result of the correspondence a spokeswoman for Bear said they would be sending workmen in to resolve the issues today.
Last night Mr McCall, 65, said: “We are delighted that Bear Scotland has taken it on board and we’ve been told it’s going to be dealt with as a matter of urgency on Monday”.
Mr Phillips added: “It’s disappointing there was a delay on this but if they are willing to get on with it on Monday then that’s good news.”
A Bear Scotland spokeswoman said: “The issue was first highlighted by Mr McCall in the middle of June and work was undertaken to improve visibility from field accesses.
“We have been made aware this week of further concerns and have spoken again with Mr McCall.
“Trunk road safety is of paramount importance, and our landscape team will be on site on Monday to carry out further works as a matter of urgency”.
