A pressure group has hit out at the amount of roadworks on the main route between Inverness and Glasgow after Bear Scotland announced yet more hold ups.
Stewart MacLean of the A82 partnership was speaking after learning about the traffic management to be implemented at a new job starting near Crianlarich next week.
He said there are already six sets of traffic lights between Ballachuilish and Inverness – adding an extra half an hour onto the journey from Lochaber to the city.
The £50,000 of resurfacing works north of Inverherive, near Crianlarich, begin on Monday for three days and will continue between 7am-7pm, with a convoy traffic management system in place.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative, said: “These essential resurfacing works will upgrade the existing road surface, creating a smoother and safer journey for motorists.
“We’ve scheduled these works to take place ahead of the busy tourist season to minimise disruption, however we will look to complete these works as quickly and safelty as possible.”
Mr MacLean said: “Whilst all maintenance works on the A82 are welcomed by the A82 Partnership the cumulative impact of numerous current works on the northern section of the A82 is causing delay and frustration to business and commuters.
“We are sure that each set of works can be individually justified but the cumulative negative impact on road users and the local economy is becoming unacceptable.
“These latest works add yet one more set of traffic management to the works presently taking place between Ballachulish, Onich and Fort William, at Glengloy, canal bridge works and the Forestry works at Loch Lochy and Lochness.”
He added: “The negative impact would be more acceptable if these works were improving the alignment or width of the carriegway but in no instance is this the case.”
The Partnership has also just been advised of a major disruption to traffic through out April resulting from the installation of a mini roundabout at Inverlochy, north of Fort William.
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said: “We fully appreciate the importance of the A82 to the local and regional economies and the local communities. That is why we have invested almost £72million since 2007 into the maintenance of the A82 to ensure that it continues to support economic growth in the region.
“The recent work includes road, bridge, cycleway and drainage schemes as well as ongoing forestry and utility works. In planning such works, everything possible is done to minimise disruption. Following feedback from local communities and businesses, we try to schedule works out with the busier tourist seasons which is important for the local economy.”
