Drivers who use the Skye Bridge regularly will soon be able to get text or e-mail notifications of wind warnings and closures.
Concern regarding the number of times the bridge between Kyle on the mainland and Kyleakin of the island was closed due to bad weather recently has sparked a review of Bear Scotland’s current wind management plan.
And the trunk roads contractor is now going to offer people an opportunity to sign up for text or e-mail alerts.
These moves were revealed when local councillors met representatives of Bear Scotland, Police Scotland and NHS Highland to discuss concerns raised by members of the public.
Councillors were told the position of the anemometer had not changed and calibration testing was carried out in August.
There are three levels of alerts based on the maximum gust speed recorded by the anemometer, which is sited on the bridge next to Eileen Ban.
These are stage one, in which 35-50mph gusts trigger a “caution high winds” warning, stage two, in which 50-75mph trigger closure of the bridge to high sided vehicles and stage three, in which gusts of more than 75mph result in it being closed to all vehicles and pedestrians.
The review, which will include input from all interested parties, will involve putting a new traffic management plan in place on both sides of the bridge that will be used during any future closures.
Councillor Drew Millar said: “Maintaining the route to and from our island is vital, not only to the convenience of people living, working and visiting Skye, but also for the economic impact on communities both sides of the bridge.”
And Eddie Ross, who is Bear Scotland’s representative for the north west unit said: “Although there has been no change to the way wind speeds are measured or closures are triggered on the Skye bridge, the recent weather conditions have highlighted some concerns to us and to members of the public.”
He added that the agency was investigating this further with the help of Transport Scotland, the Highland Council and Police Scotland.