Report of Meeting with Council Officers to Discuss the Issues Arising from Damage to The

REPORT OF MEETING WITH COUNCIL OFFICERS TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES ARISING FROM DAMAGE TO THE ROAD NETWORK FROM TIMBER WAGONS 10 NOVEMBER 2016

PURPOSE

Following the public meeting in Farr Community Hall on 2 November, when the problems with damage to the roads from the increased traffic generated by timber extraction was raised, a meeting was called by Cllr Davidson to discuss the Timber Transport issues.

PRESENT

Cllr M Davidson; Mr R Pope, Roads and Community Works Manager; Mr Alistair Macleod, Community Services , Diriebught; Ms Catriona Fraser – Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council; Ms E MacRae – Dores and Essich Community Council; Mr P Christie – Strathnairn Community Council.

NOTES

Timber extraction is dealt with by the “Highland Timber Transport Group”. < This group has a project Officer

Extraction routes have been agreed with the industry and are available on the web site. Mr Pope acknowledged that considerable time had elapsed since the routes had been agreed and that the weight and dimensions of the lorries had increased without a matching improvement in the road network. Measures were being taken to enter into a consultation with the purpose of re evaluating the routes.

Most of the larger companies working in forestry are members of the Forum and comply with good practice. The larger haulage firms are also members who have systems in place to ensure their drivers follow best practice. Individual owner drivers continue to be a problem as are the smaller land owners. The owners of small areas of timber tend to commence extraction without consulting the Council on appropriate routes and vehicles.

Grants are available to local authorities to support the timber industry but the rules to access the funds can be difficult to manage. Match funding may be required.

Options are available to HC as a way of controlling the type of vehicle using the public highway. In particular the application of weight restrictions is being considered , however a lot of properties use oil heating so any restriction will have to take into account the need not to have an adverse affect upon every day deliveries.

The B851 is the preferred route for timber being extracted from the South side of Loch Ness. This was one of the factors that influenced the recent improvements to this road.

It was noted that timber lorries are continuing to use the B862 between Dores and Inverness. HC will investigate this.

It was noted that some sections of the B851 are in urgent need of improvement, particularly the section between Brin and Flichity bridge and the section between Inverarnie and the A9. The new footpath cycle way at Sockick Bends is not used because of the metal barrier on the river side edge plus there is no gap between the path and the road and with the result that the speed of the passing heavy traffic acts as a deterrent.

Forestry Road – Gorthleck to Torness

This recently constructed road is intended to take the timber lorries from the B862. It was noted that this road has five gates along its length so that it was unlikely that the lorry drivers would elect to use this diversion because of the time that they would lose opening and closing the gates. It was further noted that some drivers has expressed the view that the road surface was not suitable for timber lorries.

Farr Primary School and Farr Play Park.

The B851 passed the School is quite narrow and the speed of traffic has always been a problem. Farr Play Park has recently been re -equipped and has proven to be extremely popular with locals and non locals. There is limited parking next to the park so School Wood car park is used for overspill. The pedestrians cross the road at a point which is hidden to south bound traffic by a blind summit. HC will explore the possibility of providing an extended, permanent, 20 MPH speed limit passed the school and School Wood entrance. It is unlikely that the speed restriction would be fully obeyed but it should serve to moderate the traffic speed. SNCC to write to HC asking for action over this issue.

Dunlichity to Essich Road (U1096)

The vehicles being used to extract timber have caused a considerable amount of damage such that urgent action is required to prevent further deterioration. HC have gone to great lengths to try and gain the co-operation of the company extracting the timber, so far without much success. HC have now commenced the steps they need to take to enable them to repair the road and reclaim the cost from the companies that caused the damage.