A82 Fort William to Inverness accident hot spot to be resurfaced
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Road safety campaigner MSP David Stewart has welcomed plans to resurface a notorious A82 accident hot spot - but he is questioning why the route has not been added to a list of roads requiring investigation for further safety improvements.
Transport Scotland has written to the regional Labour MSP this week outlining its plans to repair carriageway on a series of bends north of Torlundy.
It follows Mr Stewart’s ongoing calls for safety improvements, after an Inverness family died on the same stretch of road earlier this year.
Rhys and Gemma Cousin, and the couple's two infant children Peyton (3) and Heidi (1) were killed in the horrific crash on February 20.
Mr Stewart said: “As a road safety campaigner, I am pleased that we have got something positive back from Transport Scotland.
"I welcome their plan to begin resurfacing at Torlundy within days. I am, however, concerned that the stretch has not been identified for further investigation through the road agency’s annual assessment of the safety performance of the trunk road network - and I will be challenging this.
“I have been asking the Scottish Government to do more to upgrade this very outdated road. I am not saying that all the accidents and fatalities have been caused by the road. But I believe the poor condition of the road surface and the shaking, twisty nature of the road can have a lot to do with collisions.”
Mr Stewart said his request for a breakdown of government spend between Bridge of Orchy and Inverness since 2016 revealed just over £23.5 million had gone into repairs and upgrades.
He said: “Almost £2.5 million was spent on the Torlundy-Fort Augustus stretch, £7.9 million between Torlundy-Glencoe, £1.8 million between the Bridge of Orchy-Glencoe and £6.3 million between Fort Augustus and Inverness.
“While all investment is welcome, this is not enough. The evidence is clear. The A82 has a history of tragic road deaths and serious injuries and lack of investment is causing unimaginable suffering for families.”
“Scottish Government ministers cannot continue to say they are concerned and then spend money on other priorities.”
