Plan launched to tackle Fort William congestion problems

A previous study warned the geography of the area could constrain transport improvements in Fort William

Consultants have been appointed to come up with a plan to ease congestion on Fort William's roads.

There have been long-running complaints about gridlock, particularly on the A82, which runs through the town and is a major link connecting Inverness with Glasgow.

Two engineering firms are expected to spend 18 months developing a package of priorities and potential funding sources for transport improvements.

A previous study suggested emergency services staff faced delays getting to work and some teachers and pupils were late for school due to congested traffic.

AECOM and Stantec have been tasked by Highland Council and regional transport body Hitrans to produce the integrated transport plan.

It is part of a wider vision for Fort William and Lochaber area called FW2040.

Highland Council's economy and infrastructure committee chairman Ken Gowans said the appointment of the consultants was a significant but long overdue step.

He said: "The appointment of AECOM and Stantec to take forward the integrated transport plan brings renewed momentum and a real opportunity to tackle the long-standing issues of congestion and connectivity that affect residents, businesses and emergency services alike."

Mr Gowans added: "This plan is a key step in shaping a better future for Fort William and the wider Lochaber area."

Transport Scotland the plan would explore measures to improve local connections and journey times on the A82 through Fort William.

'Magic wand'

Frazer Coupland, of West Highland Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the development describing it as a "lifetime opportunity" for Fort William and the wider Lochaber area.

He told BBC Scotland News: "We are a town of low resilience when it comes to our transport infrastructure.

"It only takes a small mistake to really congest the place up and gridlock us on occasions.

"A four to five-mile journey can take up to an hour if you go at the wrong times of day."

Mr Coupland said everyone wished for a magic wand to sort out the traffic problems but added that it would take time to come up with solutions.

In September, businesses warned that traffic congestion in and around Fort William was preventing them from expanding.

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce said getting through the town had been a problem for years but it was now at "crisis point".

BSW Timber and fish farm company Mowi were among businesses which expressed frustration at delays at getting raw materials in and products out.

The Scottish government said at the time it had plans for improving travel through the town.

Fort William is a popular Highland tourist destination as well as a base for industry, including an aluminium smelter.

The town has road and rail links to Inverness, Glasgow and Mallaig.

A previous report, the Fort William Strategic Transport Study in 2018, set out some of the challenges to these journeys.

It reported congestion could get so bad through the town that emergency services staff and teachers could be prevented from getting to their work on time.

Bus firms said they had to put on extra vehicles at congested times to catch up with their timetable, while some residents avoided shopping in the town centre.

Traffic flow was highly seasonal with busiest months being May to August, according to the report.

Residents also told of there being only one way in or out of the town, which could present challenges.

The study said if there was an accident on the A82 just north or south of Fort William, motorists were faced with a 162-mile (261km) diversion via Perth.

The report also said improvements were constrained by the geography of the area.

Fort William has high mountains on one side, including Ben Nevis - the UK's highest mountain - and Loch Linnhe sea loch on the other.