A remote Lochaber community is concerned that the “lifeline” route linking it to the main road network has been downgraded and will get a reduced winter gritting service.
People living along the Glengarry road, which runs from the A87 Invergarry to Kyle road to Kinlochourn, fear it will make the road impassable in severe weather conditions.
A 10-mile stretch of the road from the A87 to Kingie was classified as a “secondary” route by Highland Council, which meant it was treated after the “primary” routes.
But it is now downgraded futher to “other”, which means it will not be treated until after secondary routes.
Roy Dyckhoff, of Upper Glengarry, contacted members of Highland Council’s Lochaber area committee before yesterday’s meeting asking them to take up the fight.
He said there were about 45 houses along the road and significant economic activity, including a dam, a fish farm, a hydro-electric power station and heavy traffic from forestry, mini-hydro construction and SSE distribution network renewal.
Members argued his case, but were warned that another road would have to be downgraded to balance out the cost.
They asked area community services manager, Cameron Kemp, to come back to them with the cost of retaining secondary classification for the road.
He replied: “There is no spare money, but we will see what we can do with the resources we have got.”