Call for avalanche shelter on vital part of A9 route at Scrabster
The Scottish Government is being asked to investigate erecting an avalanche shelter to prevent further blockages at the most northerly point of the A9.
Traffic was again disrupted on December 31 when a slurry of mud and stones cascaded from the steep brae adjoining the trunk road on the approach to Scrabster.
It followed similar landslides in 2017 and 2023 which also led to temporary road blocks and spells when traffic lights were deployed.
The proposed shelter was mooted at Thurso Community Council’s meeting on Tuesday evening by local Highland councillor Matthew Reiss.
He said he and his colleagues have for several years been lobbying to secure a permanent solution.
Past measures after the clearance of debris have included work to improve drainage and the deployment of a waterproof membrane to the area deemed most at risk of further slippage.
Councillor Reiss claimed they were largely “sticking plaster” fixes.
He said: “They would focus on one bit but there were other bits that were unstable and we have seen what has happened.
“It is not just Caithness that is affected by these events as much of Orkney’s trade relies on this route being open.
“If the road was washed away, that trade would be lost and they would have to re-route everything via Aberdeen.”
He added that the Scrabster-based lifeboat and coastguard services depend on the road being open to mobilise their crews during emergencies.
Councillor Reiss suggested the Scottish Government look into creating an avalanche shelter similar to the one that runs over the A890 and the railway line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Lochcarron in Wester Ross.
Accepting it would be expensive, Councillor Reiss said it would be a fraction of the £4 billion the Scottish Government is proposing to spend on dualling the A9 and A96.
Transport Scotland last week said landscape maintenance work has been carried out on two parts of the brae as part of a planned remediation scheme. A fresh geotechnical study is meanwhile planned for later in the year.
Temporary traffic lights meanwhile remain in operation.
