Police gear up for cyclist onslaught

POLICE will be scouring the A82 on motorbikes to ensure safety as 800 cyclists descend on Lochaber’s trunk road next week.

Lochaber chief inspector Colin Gough assured councillors there will be a strong presence when the pedal bikers travel north from Crianlarich next Friday (September 11) as part of the second annual Deloitte cycle event.

Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillor Brian Murphy, who also chairs road improvement campaign group the A82 Partnership, raised concerns about the safety and traffic impact of the cycle at the Lochaber area committee meeting last week.

During last year’s ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats mother of two, Sally Preece, died when her bike collided with a car on the A85 near Loch Earn.

Mr Murphy said: ‘It’s going to cause chaos on the A82. I know it’s too late for this year but next year we should try to persuade them to go via the A9. It’s a much wider road with a much better road surface.’

Inspector Gough said as it was a ‘non- competitive event’ there was little police could do to prevent or change the route.