'Stacking' plan for A9 lorries following latest road tragedies on Highlands' arterial road
HGVs could be banned from using diversions and 'stacked' on the A9 by police in the wake of serious road accidents on the arterial route in Badenoch, it has emerged.
There were hours of chaos on the local roads on August 10 following the latest tragic collision on the A9 at Ralia, just south of Newtonmore, which claimed three lives.
The A86 – which includes the High Street in Kingussie – was an especially tough bottleneck for lorries to negotiate and traffic in the town ground to a halt.
There were similar issues on Newtonmore's Main Street which is also part of the trunk road.
Calls for better traffic management have come from community leader and notably from Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes.
Although currently on maternity leave, she has now been informed by Police Scotland road chiefs that they will be taking a new approach in the event of the A9 being closed in the immediate area.
In a letter which the Strathy has seen, Inspector Donnie Mackinnon, of Highlands and Islands Road Policing, dealt with the suitability – or otherwise – of the A86 Kingussie-Spean Bridge road and A889 Dalwhinnie-Laggan road for diversions.
He stated: "The rural Highland landscape means there are limited alternative routes and we work alongside Transport Scotland and local authorities to identify pre-planned Standard Incident Diversion Routes (SIDR) for certain trunk roads including the A9.
"I can report that very recent police and Transport Scotland discussions have determined that some sections of the A86 and A889 are unsuitable for HGVs to use as a diversionary route to the A9 and this will now be reflected in an updated SIDR.
"In the event of future road closures, this information will be communicated to road users at the earliest opportunity and HGVs stacked on the A9.
"However, it should be recognised that whilst every effort will be made to communicate this to road users through variable message signs, media circulation, social media messaging and police and road operator personnel, the possibility remains that some HGV drivers may elect to utilise these routes before such measures are implemented."
Full details of how the new arrangement will be policed and whether HGV drivers will be punished for diverting off the A9 have not been given.
Neither have details been given on which sections of the A86 and A889 are deemed unsuitable.
Chief Inspector Andy Barclay, Road Policing area commander, told the Strathy yesterday: "Alternative route information will be communicated to road users at the earliest opportunity in the case of any closure and HGVs will be asked to remain on the A9 if no suitable diversion is available.
“Officers will manage traffic and we would ask drivers to follow instructions given.
“We fully understand the impact of any closure on the A9 and we also seek to minimise disruption wherever possible, balanced with the requirement to manage and fully investigate any incidents which occur.”
The Road Haulage Association was contacted but is yet to respond.
It is not unusual for the A9 to be closed for 10 hours or longer in the aftermath of the most serious accidents.
Local Highland councillors are supportive of the new policy.
Council convener Bill Lobban said: “Clearly, given the well-documented problems of heavy vehicles on narrow roads this is one of a number of solutions that must be considered.
"Whilst I appreciate that these proposals will inconvenience road users the safety of the public must be the paramount consideration."
Fellow local councillor Muriel Cockburn, agreed: “Police advice and guidance is key to our public safety and protection within our communities. With our autumn and winter coming upon, the safety of all is key.
"Stacking of vehicles is common in other areas of the country. I welcome any plan that reduces risk to life."
