Fort William experiences severe traffic due to cycleway construction

Residents of Fort William report that ongoing work to enhance a cycleway has led to significant traffic congestion on routes traversing the town, including the A82. This 12-week project commenced last Monday along the A830, with accounts indicating that short trips, typically lasting minutes, are now experiencing delays of up to an hour. Angus MacDonald, the local Lib Dem MP, expressed that there was a “disappointing lack” of engagement regarding the project. He questioned why the road improvements could not be carried out during night hours when traffic volumes are lower. Bear Scotland, the company responsible for road maintenance, acknowledged receiving complaints concerning the congestion. They stated that the work is being conducted during “low season,” thereby avoiding the more congested summer and autumn holiday periods. The cycleway itself links the A82/A830 Road to the Isles Roundabout in Fort William with the Banavie Swing Bridge. According to Bear Scotland, the planned enhancements involve widening the current shared-use cycleway, along with upgrading road markings, dropped kerb crossing points, and traffic signals. The stated objective of this undertaking is to enhance travel efficiency through Fort William. However, Mr. MacDonald noted that residents are displeased with the extended duration of the work and the absence of prior consultation to identify periods that would cause less disruption to daytime traffic. He further stated: “I think the work should have been done at night.” He emphasized the significance of the A82, describing it as “the main arterial route on the west coast of Scotland.” He continued, “It is how people from Glasgow get to the islands or Inverness. “It is in a very bad condition around Fort William.” Bear Scotland asserted that traffic management protocols are indispensable for ensuring the safety of workers, pedestrians, and motorists. The company also committed to completing the work with the utmost speed. A spokesperson for the company commented: “We are currently working with our contractor and stakeholders to mitigate delays and disruption as much as possible.”The temporary traffic lights are being manually controlled at peak times and adjustments to the traffic management set up is ongoing to optimise the measures.”Unfortunately, maintaining safe pedestrian access impacts the phasing of the lights and journey times.” In September, businesses operating locally issued a warning that traffic congestion within and surrounding Fort William was hindering their growth. The Lochaber Chamber of Commerce indicated that navigating the town has been an issue for years, but it has now reached a “crisis point.” Among the companies voicing frustration over delays in receiving raw materials and dispatching products were BSW Timber and the fish farm company Mowi. The Scottish government stated its intention to implement plans aimed at enhancing travel conditions through the town. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.