Campaigners lose patience with Highland Council over report on Forss road safety measures
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Campaigners are losing patience with Highland Council over a long-awaited report on potential safety measures at the Forss straight – five months after a site visit highlighted some of the irresponsible driving on the route.
Frustrated members of Forss Campaign Group say the delay in delivering the report is "inexplicable" and they have reiterated their belief that improvements to the A836 between Dounreay and Thurso should be treated as a matter of urgency.
They describe accident statistics on the busy stretch as "alarming".
Group members took part in an hour-long site visit at Forss on February 14. The gathering included Highland councillors, community councillors and roads officials as well as Dounreay's managing director Mark Rouse.
Iain Gregory, a member of the group, later described some of the driving he had witnessed as "beyond belief". He spoke of "numerous examples of dangerous driving", "grossly excessive speeds" and "downright insanity on the part of many drivers".
It was agreed after the site visit that the council officials would report back shortly.
Mr Gregory, a retired police area commander and experienced road accident investigator, and co-founder of Caithness Roads Recovery (CRR), said this week: "The local residents are very far from happy. Frankly, short of writing the report for Highland Council, I do not see what more we can do."
Other members of the group, formed in late 2021, are community councillors Thelma Mackenzie (Thurso) and David Craig (Caithness West) and Highland councillors Ron Gunn, Struan Mackie and Matthew Reiss.
They are seeking various traffic-calming measures on the route leading through Forss, which is used by motorists travelling to and from Dounreay and Vulcan and is part of the North Coast 500. They want double white lines, a reduced speed limit through the village, better signage, road repairs and improvements to junctions.
A number of fatal and serious accidents have occurred within the area and a petition was raised by residents in 2013.
While the group is still waiting for the report to materialise, Councillor Gunn – who raised the issue in Inverness recently – has been told that "the report and costings are to be sent to Dounreay".
Mr Gregory said: "I find this utterly inexplicable. The situation in Forss is of huge concern to residents.
"We have taken urgent action, Dounreay has been extremely supportive, and all Highland Council had to do was to produce a report and send it to us.
"We now understand that, due to the delay, we have moved into a new financial year for Dounreay, and will need to submit a formal application for any contributory funding in the current year.
"If Highland Council doesn't get on with it then we will be left with no option but to submit a formal complaint."
Councillor Gunn said: “I fully understand why the campaign group is so frustrated. This matter is all about safety for residents and road users.
"What is proposed is not complicated, and I do not understand why it is taking so long. The sooner something happens, the safer the road will be and the likelihood of accidents will be reduced.”
Councillor Reiss said: "Recent serious and fatal accidents in the far north emphasise to me the urgency of the situation. Improving safety on the Forss straight is one part of the work.
"I suspect the stark reality is that the council budget for roads, in terms of capital, revenue and staffing, is completely inadequate. Our own official figures confirm that this is the uncomfortable reality.
"I have met with the chief executive, in person, recently and outlined my concerns. Prior to this both CRR and myself have voiced these challenges to our MSP.
"There is an urgency here and in this instance, when Dounreay has indicated that potential funding may be available, the council must prioritise this work."
In April, the North Safety Camera Unit announced the deployment of a speed camera van at Forss in response to local concerns. The speed limit there is 60 mph.
Highland Council has been invited to comment.
