Road campaigners have urged the Scottish Government not to risk lives by missing an opportunity to widen a key route to the Highlands.
In an open letter to Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, they have called for the Inverarnan-Tarbet stretch of the A82 near Crianlarich to be widened to the same extent as other sections.
The A82 Partnership wants an assurance that the upgraded road will have a minimum carriageway width of 24ft (7.3m).
The cross-party group has welcomed promised investment but fears that roads agency Transport Scotland may have “underestimated the increased traffic volume” and be proposing a limited width of only 20ft (6m).
A spokesman for the Scottish Government confirmed last night that the next phase was the assessment of a preferred option to determine the appropriate carriageway width.
He said: “The A82 Partnership’s comments, alongside those of other stakeholders, are being taken into consideration as part of this assessment which is anticipated to conclude in the coming months.”
Partnership chairman Brian Murphy said: “We’re already aware of hauliers, carriers and individuals who, at present, avoid this section of road and take the longer route via the A84 and A85. This traffic will return to the A82 when it’s upgraded.
“In addition, we don’t believe that they’ve accounted for the inevitable increase in economic activity in the region. The new investment in the aluminium factory In Fort William is just one example.”
The group highlighted the fact that the most recent A82 upgrade – the Crianlarich bypass – was designed to a 24ft width.
Backing the campaign, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP and veteran road safety campaigner David Stewart said there was no doubt that the narrowness of certain stretches of the route had contributed to accidents.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We remain committed to upgrading the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan with funding being made available in the 2017/18 Budget to further progress the design of the scheme. The next phase of design work, which is the development and assessment of the preferred option, is underway with a view to preparing draft orders for the scheme.
“As part of the design work currently being progressed an assessment is being undertaken to determine the appropriate carriageway width for the scheme. The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Mr Fergus Ewing, confirmed at last Friday’s Lochaber Delivery Group that the planned investment by Liberty House Group and the comments received from the A82 Partnership, alongside those of other stakeholders, shall be taken into account during the assessment.”