ACTION NOTE

A82 PARTNERSHIP STEERING GROUP

MONDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2012, 11AM, LOCHABER HOUSE, FORT WILLIAM

In attendance: / Cllr Brian Murphy (Chair), Cllr Thomas Maclennan, Cllr Allan Henderson, Stewart Maclean, Cllr Roddy McCuish (Argyll & Bute), Cllr John Semple (Argyll & Bute), Insp. Donald Campbell (NC), Dave Duthie (HITRANS) Emma Tayler (HC)
Apologies (1): / Cllr Bren Gormley, Cllr Andrew Baxter
Agenda Item / Action/comment / Person (s) / Timescale
2 – updates / Major projects –
Pulpit Rock - tender awarded. To start Spring 2013.
Crianlarich bypass – now cleared all statutory hurdles. About a year behind Pulpit rock works.
Tarbet- Inverarnan design works – Design works funding now in place. Partners agreed there was a need for further meetings with Transport Scotland (TS) to lay down some standards before the contract for design works is let. DD to request this.
Forestry Commission 10/15 yr programme of works -
Meetings with the police are taking place on a regular basis in reference to current work. FCS are in the process of undertaking a wider consultation with communities regarding their 10/15 yr plan. Road shows planned for Oct/Nov time.
Bridge of Orchy bridge replacement -
Works have just commenced. Likely to be traffic disruption for a year. / Dave Duthie / immediately
3 – Upcoming closures / Tarbet – Crianlarich. SM had managed to influence getting 15 min windows for traffic to get through during the 4 week overnight closure period. TS had questioned the length of works and why more squads could not be used to shorten the contract time. AS to challenge the response and explore ‘lane rental’ contracts re: if there is potential to reduce the impact of works if such contracts were applied.
Onich – resurfacing works due to take place in March 2013. / Stewart MacLean
4 –
On-going restrictions / Loch Lochy – work has started in that area. Planned for 4 weeks.
Glen Gloy – Investigation has concluded the road will need realignment however this is likely to be complicated re: land acquisition.
5 –
FW traffic congestion working group
6 –
Road traffic accidents / Inverlochy traffic lights – An adjustment has been made which transport Scotland thinks should resolve the issue of un-necessary through traffic flow interruptions however the group raised concerns that the issue may still not be resolved. To be discussed in more detail at the next traffic congestion working group meeting on the 4th September.
Study – TS now have funding in place to undertake a traffic modelling study for the Fort William area (A82).
Caol link road – Traffic congestion group are trying to build a case for this.
A traffic unit is likely to be based in the new police station on Blar Mhor. A question was raised regarding the geographical coverage of the unit. Requires clarification. / Cllr John Semple
7 –
Communications / TS looking at new technology to improve their use of twitter.
HC looking at the installation of more cameras.
A82 campaign group website has not been recently updated. Twitter link needs to be mentioned on website.
ET to renew webhosting when due. (Noted this will use up remaining campaign monies)
Agreed – Brian and Stewart to continue doing press releases between meetings but contact Dave (HITRANS) and Roddy (A&B) for quotes. / Stewart MacLean
Emma Tayler
Stewart MacLean
8 –
Policies / Agreed – to continue pressing for appropriate timings etc on road closures. Need to acknowledge efforts of Transport Scotland when requests are responded to positively. / Stewart MacLean
9- FW Chamber of Commerce / FW Chamber of Commerce recently met with Graham Edmond, Andy Anderson and Bob Mitchell. SM confirmed he now represents the Chamber of Commerce on matters pertaining to the A82.
10 – Campaign Strategy / Members reviewed the campaign progress made.
11-Campaign actions / Members agreed the following priorities and subsequent course of action for the campaign
Priority focus – The upgrading of the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan
Actions:
1.  Push for involvement/ meeting re: Tarbet-Inverarnan design works
2.  Lane rental contracts for works to be explored (to minimise traffic delays)
3.  Re-affirm STP involvement in A82 campaign
4.  Phase 2 campaign launch – letter to seek support & publicity. ET to arrange distribution of corres. / Dave Duthie
Stewart MacLean
Dave Duthie
Stewart MacLean/ Brian Murphy/Emma Tayler / Within 2 weeks
12&13 / The meeting concluded with no further business

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