This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Final stretch in Road to the Isles upgrade
06/03/2007
The final four miles of Britain's last single track trunk road are set to be upgraded after a contractor was announced today.
The 'Road to the Isles', which runs from Fort William to Mallaig, has long suffered with lorries, tourist coaches and cars all competing for the same stretch of tarmac.
Vital work will now begin to convert the final section of the road to two lanes.
Announcing that Morrison Construction have been awarded the contract to convert the road, Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"These are vital improvements to an important link in the Highland trunk road network. The Road to the Isles is a key route for both locals and tourists. This work will reduce delays, benefit the local economy, and improve safety.
"In some ways, this is the end of an era - the road is famous both locally and nationally for its single track status, but I imagine there will be no complaints from anyone who has ever driven the road. This work is crucial.
"It will be a welcome boost for the people of the West Highlands who depend on it so much, giving them reliable access to the north and south. Improving roads across the Highland and Islands, and across Scotland as a whole, is a priority of this devolved government."
Charlie King, chairman of the Highland Council's TEC Services Committee, said:
"I am absolutely delighted that the final piece in the jigsaw to complete the Mallaig road is about to start. Local people have been pressing for years to bring this to fruition, and their efforts are now being rewarded. I am grateful to all of those involved for overcoming all the immense difficulties on this last section and awarding the final contract and the removal of this last section of single track road."
Neil MacLeod, Regional Director of Morrison Construction's civil engineering business said:
"On being awarded the final phase of this road improvement scheme we are delighted to be renewing our involvement with the A830. We previously designed and constructed sections as early as 1988 and are delighted to be seeing this important trunk road to its completion.
"This upgrade will improve safety, traffic flows and benefit the region's economy."
This road improvement represents the final step towards completing the necessary upgrade to a modern standard.
The final stretch of road to be upgraded, from Arisaig to Loch nan Uamh, is some 7.5 km long, is very tortuous, and is effectively a single width with passing places.
This will be the last in a series of improvements to the whole 27 km stretch of the A830 trunk road between Mallaig to Lochailort. Work will start on the final part of the road at the end of June 2007, with the completion of the road 18 months later.
The construction cost of the whole 27 km scheme is £22.8 million. The project has received grant-aid from the European Regional Development Fund.
When completed journey times will be improved and locals, businesses, and tourist users of the A830 can expect significantly improved journey times.