Concern over expected increase in back-road traffic as Forss trees are cut down
Safety concerns have been raised over a likely upsurge in traffic on the back road between Thurso and Reay while major tree-cutting work takes place on the A836 at Forss.
Twenty-six trees will be removed from woodland owned by Forss House Hotel, starting on Monday and continuing until the end of November, and drivers – including those travelling to and from Dounreay and Vulcan – can expect delays.
The work is being carried out by SSE Renewables to allow turbine lorries to pass on their journeys from Scrabster harbour to Strathy South wind farm.
Some motorists are expected to opt for the Westfield/Shebster route, to avoid being held up.
Campaigner Iain Gregory believes there will be a “notable increase” in vehicles using the back road and warns that it is “not designed for high traffic levels or higher speeds”.
Mr Gregory, co-founder of Caithness Roads Recovery, said: “The proposed works are potentially going to result in significant delays to traffic flow on the main A836. We must hope that every effort is made to minimise disruption on this vital route, particularly at peak traffic times.
“Considerable concerns have been raised over the past year or so by residents, by local community councillors and by Highland councillors in relation to the increased traffic volumes on the Westfield/Shebster back road, following the installation of average speed cameras on the A836 between Thurso and Reay, and we are aware that speed-monitoring equipment has been utilised by Highland Council to assess the situation.
“Clearly there is going to be another notable increase in the number of vehicles using this route, which raises a definite issue in relation to road safety, with a need for drivers to take particular care on what is, after all, a minor country road with a number of poor sight lines, numerous entrances and exits, and with many homes and businesses along its length.
“It is certainly not a road designed for high traffic levels or indeed higher speeds, and we again hope that the planned works are carried out as swiftly as possible, minimising the need for drivers to divert from the A836.”
SSE said a traffic management plan has been agreed in consultation with Highland Council to ensure the safety of road users and workers, and will be in place for the duration of the work. Tree removal operations are expected to be completed by November 30.
The company says delivery of turbine components to the Strathy South site will be conducted in due course by a specialist blade delivery contractor and under police escort, in line with standard practice. Advance notice will be provided to the community and stakeholders prior to delivery “to minimise inconvenience”.
Dounreay shared an expected timetable of work with staff in the site’s weekly internal newssheet, noting that there could be “significant delays”. Staff were told: “You are advised to find an alternative route to the site, such as the back road through Westfield and Shebster.”
Last year, during a trial deployment of average speed cameras on the A836, one Shebster resident claimed that cars had been racing along the back road at speeds reminiscent of the Starship Enterprise from the TV and film series Star Trek.
“All it has done is shove the problem from the North Coast 500 onto this little B-road which isn’t wide enough for two cars in places, let alone cars and lorries,” the resident said.
Temporary average speed cameras were reinstated on the A836 between Thurso and Reay in May this year.