Firstly, there are now temporary signs, erected by the Highland Council, at both the Lochybridge and West End roundabouts advising that the Corran Ferry is suspended. The main electronic sign heading out of town, which is operated by Transport Scotland, still highlights roadworks elsewhere despite contact from officers again today. However, I understand they have…
This is an update from my point of view as your local councillor, trying to pull together numerous emails, telephone calls and conversations I’ve had in the last 24 hours. Firstly, I know that many have expressed concern about driving along the A861 from Kinlocheil to Ardgour – mainly as a result of motorists not…
Officers have just provided the following update on the Corran Ferry service, which is currently suspended following a breakdown with the steering. “This breakdown caused the ferry to briefly touch the rocks beside the Nether Lochaber slipway today at 12.36pm. Due to the professionalism and competency of the ferry team, no harm was done to…
Last autumn, the council sanctioned what was tantamount to vandalism to a stone wall alongside the historic Craig Mhor graveyard in Onich. They planned to do so with no consultation or discussion with the local community, who could have found a quick solution to any supposed health and safety fears. Despite my vocal opposition, my…
It doesn’t seem possible that five years ago I decided to stand for election to Highland Council. I was campaigning to get our public toilets re-opened in the village after the council closed them without any announcement. I was angry and that is what made up my mind to stand. I am pleased that they…
BEAR Scotland have notified councillors and local communities about planned daytime closures, over a two-week period, on the A828 between Ballachulish and Connel. It’s to undertake a variety of road improvements, including resurfacing along certain sections. Their rationale is that a fortnight of closures is preferable to longer periods of night-time closures. Full details are available…
My latest e-newsletter has hit inboxes across Lochaber. In this edition, you can read about my campaign to persuade Stagecoach to ditch their damaging proposals to axe the Sunday bus service south of Fort William. And council officers have listened to my plea for a repair and maintenance programme for the timber-clad “Swedish houses” owned by…
Thank you to the residents that have contacted me about Stagecoach weekday timetable changes on route 44 that will have a big effect on those using the service to get to and from work. I’ve made an additional response to their consultation to highlight these issues, as follows: Dear Sir, Further to my previous correspondence,…
The petition urging Stagecoach to reconsider their proposals to axe the Sunday bus service between Fort William and Kinlochleven now has over 250 signatures. You can still sign it here. I have also lodged the following submission in response to the company’s consultation on timetable changes: Dear Sir As a Highland councillor, representing the South…
Stagecoach Highland has sneaked out proposed changes to bus timetables without highlighting that they have axed the Sunday service on bus route 44 between Fort William and Kinlochleven. They have failed to bring this to the attention of consultees such as the Highland Council or local councillors. The explanatory text on their consultation website…
Two year’s ago I raised the council’s failure to maintain the external cladding on their “Swedish Houses” across Lochaber. I am pleased to report that the council listened to my concerns and undertook a survey of the houses. This revealed that up to 10% of the external cladding boards require replacing, along with some porch…
There was a large turnout of village residents for the public meeting explaining what efforts the council is undertaking to house Syrian refugee families, fleeing the conflict in their home country, as part of a British Government scheme. As there is spare housing in the village – flats repeatedly refused by other people on the…
For several years, I have been asking the Highland Council to accept responsibility for the section of trees that are in their ownership along Wades Road. This was a result of several complaints from nearby residents, concerned about the loss of light to their properties, the risk of damage from wind-blown branches or trees and…
We’ve been blessed with some good weather as we enter the autumn months, and unlike previous years the council’s winter maintenance teams haven’t needed to swing into serious action yet. Last year Lochaber councillors rejected the winter plans presented by officers, as inadequate and inconsistent with our area’s needs. That caused an enormous row with…
When the national Police and Fire services were created by the Scottish Government, councillors lost any real ability to scrutinise the work of these services in their area. Whereas before councillors set priorities based on the needs of their local communities, these decisions are effectively now made at a national level. There are opportunities to…
Lochaber Voice 