April 2011
The projected completion dates
of 2012/2013 for the Crianlarich Bypass and the Pulpit Rock works have been
withdrawn by Transport Scotland. This follows the post budget announcement by
the Transport Minister that all future transport projects would be
subject to the availability of funding. Whilst the two A82 projects will
remain in the roads programme their date for commencement is now uncertain.
This uncertainty over funding for these projects is further accentuated
by the possibility, following the public consultation period, of Public Local
Inquiries as both projects still have statutory objectors. Public Local
Inquiries would delay completion of the Statutory process required to prepare
the projects prior to commencement of works. In the case of Pulpit Rock there
are statutory objections from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and
private land owners and in the case of Crianlarich there remains a statutory
objection from a private land owner. The public consultation on Pulpit Rock
resulted in nearly 80 objections most of which related to the proposed 14 week
road closure. Transport Scotland are at present addressing the concerns of all
objectors.
Despite this possible setback
the A82 Partnership is working with Transport Scotland and other interested
parties to develop a vision for the further road improvements required between
Tarbet and Inverarnan. Upgrading of the A82 between Corran and Fort William is
also seen as a priority.
The A82 Partnership is
participating in the Fort William Traffic Congestion Group, a group which is
attempting to reduce the build up, at peak times, of traffic heading north out
of Fort William. The group is hoping that works to be carried out at
Inverlochy road end traffic lights will significantly alleviate this problem.
Other bottlenecks on this section of road have been reviewed but no significant
areas for improvement have been identified. The north extension to the Fort
William by pass is not included in the present 25 year Scottish Trunk Roads
programme.
The A82 Partnership has lobbied
all of the major Scottish Political Parties for the last six months in an
effort to have the A82 upgrade works included in the parties manifesto for the
upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections. The A82 Partnership will review the
manifestos and publish details of each parties commitment to the upgrading of
the A82 prior to the election date. YOU ARE URGED TO SEEK COMMITTMENTS TO THE
UPGRADE OF THE A82 FROM ALL CANDIDATES DURING THE FORTHCOMING SCOTTISH
PARLIAMENT ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
A request for information on A82
road closures which was responded to under the Freedom of Information Act by Transport
Scotland has resulted in the A82 Partnership being featured as a case study in
the 2010 Annual report of the Scottish Information Commissioner. A video is
also available at http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/inyourhands/.
(Click on ‘In their hands’ and then ‘Campaigning for change’.)
Together with the inconvenience
of a totally inadequate trunk road infrastructure the West Highland community
has had to suffer a very poor rail service during the winter months with
reports of cold carriages and inadequate toilet facilities on the rail service
between Glasgow, Fort William and Mallaig. In order to further highlight
the totally inadequate transport infrastructure serving the West Highlands and
Islands the A82 Partnership has requested information from Transport
Scotland as to how this rail service will be improved. Transport Scotland are
responsible for the monitoring of the Scotrail franchise. At the time of
writing we still await a response from Transport Scotland
December 2010
Transport Scotland meet with Stakeholders to discuss design and realignment of A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan.
November 2010
Traffic Congestion Working Group formed to address traffic flows in and around Fort William
Consultation on Pulpit Rock works closes
Scottish Political Parties respond to request to include A82 upgrade in 2011 election manifestos
October 2010
Traffic Orders issued for works at Pulpit Rock
