Loch Ness-side harvesting: A82 and Great Glen Way closures
 Forestry Commission Scotland plans to carry out roadside felling operations on the A82, beside Loch Ness.
The work, beginning on 6 January 2009, will last for 6 weeks and involves felling and clearing large trees from steep and difficult terrain. Why is this work necessary? A82 traffic flow and the Great Glen Way will be affectedTraffic flow on the A82Traffic management measures near Portclair between Fort Augustus and Invermoriston will see normal traffic flow stopped in both directions for up to 20 minutes at a time while trees are being felled close to the road. These measures will be in effect from Monday – Saturday between 9.00am and 4.00pm during the operations. The Commission has worked closely with Transport Scotland, Scotland TranServ, the local community and other stakeholders to schedule the work for the quietest time of the year and the quietest hours of the day. Great Glen Way closure
As public safety is paramount for walkers and other route users, the Great Glen Way will be closed from Alt na Criche to Rubha Ban for the duration of the felling operations. Signs notifying walkers and route users of the closure of this section will be erected at five points before the closed section as well as signs on the gates immediately prior to the harvesting area. Phone numbers for local taxis and the bus travel line number will be on all Great Glen Way signs so that route users and walkers can plan their way around the route closure. Unfortunately there is not a possible alternative route that is suitable for walkers and route users at this time of year. The only option for bypassing the closed section of the Great Glen Way is to use public transport, local taxis or buses. The Great Glen Way and Forestry Commission Scotland are already working on building alternative tracks to make sure the route can remain open during future works. Once harvested, the area will be replanted to return the sites back to native woodland in a way that will avoid future closures being needed. The forests along the north side of Loch Ness need to be harvested because some trees are now of a size that puts them at risk of being blown over. The larger ones weigh in at around eight tonnes and, on the steep and difficult terrain, will pose some challenges in ensuring safe felling and removal. Public safety is paramount so traffic management measures will be required. We appreciate that these measures are going to cause some inconvenience to both road users and Great Glen Way users and are aware that there will be some inevitable delays. The work is being run as a pilot. Together with a further two pilots, scheduled for 2009 and 2010, these trials will determine how best to manage felling on such difficult sites. This will then help to plan longer term felling operations along the north side of Loch Ness. This will be done in full consultation with all stakeholders. Back to top More information before you travelWe urge motorists to plan their journeys in advance and use the traffic management website at www.trafficscotland.org for information on progress of the works. Public transport information is available at www.travelinescotland.com. ContactsFor any media enquiries please contact Paul Munro at Forestry Commission Scotland: Other contacts: Fort Augustus Forest District
Strathoich
Fort Augustus
PH32 4BT
Email: fort@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 01320 366322 Lynda Dodd
Great Glen Way Manager
Auchterawe
Fort Augustus
Inverness-shire
PH32 4BT
Email: lynda.dodd@highland.gov.uk
Tel: 01320 366633
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