Photo: Brian MacLennan / Geograph under CCSA
The A890 Stromeferry bypass is closed following a landslide on Christmas day. After a fall of almost 20 tonnes of debris, the road – which was closed for several months at the start of 2012 following a previous landslide – is expected to remain closed for several days. Avoiding the closure involves a detour of over 100 miles.
Highland Council said work had begun on clearing the bank above the road.
Graham Phillips of Highland Council told the BBC “If you look further up the cliff there’s another 50 tonnes ready to come down and that’s got to be cleared as well – public safety comes first.”
Alternatives being looked at for longer term repairs include building a bridge or causeway across the Strome narrows or more substantially upgrading the existing route. HOwever it may be up to 3 years before work on one of these options could get underway.