The dangers run on a daily basis by travellers on the A890 Stromeferry Bypass have been highlighted in this year’s inspection of the sheer rock face on the landward side of the road and railway line to Kyle of Lochalsh.
Furious Wester Ross councillors are demanding action by Highland Council to tackle the problem once and for all.
Geologists from AECOM Engineering inspected the area in detail last April, using ropes to scale the rock faces.
They have identified four slopes as ‘very high risk’ of rock slip, with a further seven described as high risk, and 10 as moderate risk.
These are in addition to the section of rock face which has been undergoing stabilisation work since September, involving considerable road and rail disruption.
Councillor Derek Macleod said: “Everybody in the area has been aware of the risk of rock falls over many years and the expression ‘there but for the grace of God’ applies.
“But when people see it in black and white officially being declared very high risk it does make people alarmed, and understandably so. The natural reaction then is to ask why the authorities are permitting such a route to continue in operation and not taking immediate steps for a complete re-routing?”
Mr Macleod said the preferred rerouting was via a bridge at Strome and a bypass behind the village of Lochcarron.
He said: “Whatever the Highland Council does at the moment is not a permanent fix because there’s a geological feature there called the Moine Thrust which means that geologically it continues to move.”
Councillor Ian Cockburn demanded ‘action not words’ from Highland Council.
He said: “They’ve got to show the community they’re serious about this.
“School children go on that road every day of the week.
“I want to see them making a start and stop talking.”
The two councillors will raise their concerns at the council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee (EDI).
EDI chairman Allan Henderson said: “Rest assured that no action is not the choice of this council.”
