Progress made on repairs to Knoydart peninsula
HIGHLAND Council says work is progressing well on repairs following the landslip on the Knoydart Peninsula last autumn, with every effort being made to get the affected section of single-track road open to traffic for the Easter weekend.
After the failure, immediate steps were taken to re-establish pedestrian and quad bike access and this has been maintained throughout the work.
Early action was also taken to re-instate the power lines that were severed during the landslip.
Rock faces have been stabilised, the slope has been excavated and foundations prepared at the top of the slope to allow the reconstruction of the embankment and reinstatement of the road.
The route is a lifeline road for the communities beyond the slip which include Airor, Doune and Sandaig and the local authority says there has been close liaison between it and the community, and every effort has been taken to minimise the disruption caused by this loss of essential road.
Chairman of the environment, development and infrastruc- ture committee Councillor Allan Henderson thanked the community for its patience and understanding.
‘Anyone who has visited the site or seen the photos taken at the time showing the damage the landslip caused will be fully aware of the physical constraints the team has had to deal with as the road is on a very steep hillside with a sheer drop below,’ he said. ‘We knew from the start there would be specific challenges to carry out the necessary survey work safely, find the best engineering solution and get materials to site.
‘Working over the winter months has not been easy but by Easter we hope to re-open the road with only minor works left to complete.
Everyone is really working hard and the local community has been very understanding and appreciative of the Highland Council so over the next few weeks the push is on to get the work finished.’