Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has welcomed news of a high-profile response by Northern Constabulary and the Department for Transport to concerns about a recent spate of accidents on a section of  the A830 Glenfinnan to Mallaig road.

Following discussions with the SNP politician's office, Chief Inspector John Chisholm, Area Commander for Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, quickly confirmed his officers would "imminently" be joined by  traffic commissioners from the Department for Transport for a series of Enforcement Days to check the road-worthiness of vehicles using the twisting route.

This action follows an investigation into allegations that diesel was leaked onto the road by a number of vehicles in recent weeks, corresponding with a noticeable increase in the number of accidents in the  area, including a fatal accident on Tuesday September 28 in which Kirsty Bryden, 19, and Roddy MacInnes, 17, lost their lives when their car left the road near Lochailort and plunged into Loch Eilt.

Mr Thompson and his staff have also lobbied Transport Scotland to call for the addition of safety barriers at corners where traffic has been influenced by cambers running in the wrong direction and several  have left the road to tumble into ditches, neighbouring fields or even into the waters of Loch Eilt.

"I am very pleased to hear that Northern Constabulary are taking this succession of incidents very seriously and that officers, along with inspectors from the Department for Transport, will soon be out to  ensure that all vehicles using the route are safe to do so," said Mr Thompson, who revealed last week that he too had skidded when his car rounded a bend near the scene of September's tragic accident when he  was on his way to meet Kirsty Bryden's parents, John and Jan, to discuss ways in which their campaign for improvements to the road could be advanced.

"Inspecting all vehicles on the road will not only catch those which are unsafe but also send out a clear signal to all motorists about the need to be vigilant and alert to road conditions when driving.

"Mr Bryden's experience as a former policeman for the area has been put to good use in amassing evidence about numerous accidents and it is good to see that current police officers in the area are also looking into the reasons behind this spate of accidents.

"What I find particularly alarming is the suggestion that this sudden increase in the number of accidents, many involving local people who know the road, has been caused by the spillage of fuel on the road and, if that is the case, those responsible must be stopped, their vehicles made safe and their owners made to face the full weight of the law."

Mr Thompson is also waiting for a detailed response to an urgent letter he sent to David Middleton, chief executive of Transport Scotland, last week to call for urgent action to arrest the sudden rise in the number of incidents on the road, which represents not just a vital lifeline for the community in the area, but is also a popular route through the scenic West Highlands for thousands of tourists every year, while the road also carries thousands of vehicles each week to and from ferries between Mallaig and the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

A spokesman for the agency acknowledged receipt of the letter and said staff were treating the points raised by the MSP "as a matter of urgency".

Notes:

Ch Insp Chisholm stated that the dates of the Enforcement Days had been decided and would happen shortly but declined to make exact dates available publicly in advance.

Text of Mr Thompson's letter to Transport Scotland:

Dear Mr Middleton

The Deaths of Kirsty Bryden and Roddy MacInnes on the A830

I visited Mr and Mrs Bryden at their home last Saturday 13th November. Later Mr Bryden showed me the site of the accident where their daughter died in September and other parts of the A830 that give cause  for concern.

I am extremely concerned that further fatalities could occur in the very near future, not least because I myself skidded on a right hand bend at midday about 5 miles short of the Bryden’s home. The road was  wet but not icy and I was travelling at a safe speed, given the conditions, of between 40 and 45 mph.

Mr Bryden has documented numerous other accidents in the past 7 weeks, including another at the same spot his daughter died. Several of these drivers are people who have used the road for many years without  incident; some of whom also plunged into Loch Eilt.

The comparison between the new section of road between Mallaig and Lochailort and the section between Lochailort and Glenfinnan could not be starker, as the new section is wider, has comprehensive barriers  and carefully constructed cambered corners.

While there are various warning signs on the old road, there is no warning in Lochailort or Glenfinnan that the driver is entering a ten mile section of unimproved road with adverse cambers, and I would ask  you to consider erecting warning signs to that effect. I further note that many of the portable temporary “skid” signs etc are also ineffective especially as many are too light and have simply fallen over.

What also seems clear in the recent spate of accidents by drivers familiar with the road is that something in the road’s environment may have changed. Mr Bryden has noted several instances recently of oil or  diesel spillages, as well as mud thrown on the road by HGVs accidentally driving on the soft verge. In fact, just such a spillage incident was reported to the police in Mallaig on Monday involving a road  repair vehicle. The fact that the accidents are dotted along the ten mile section of road, suggest more than one vehicle is at fault, and if so, a further short term, but potentially life saving measure,  might be a census and check over several days by Transport Scotland and the police which could identify any offending vehicles.

As for a permanent solution, while I appreciate that there are still numerous sections of unbarriered road adjacent to water or other hazards in the North West of Scotland, there does appear to be an urgent  case for dealing with this ten mile section in the very near future, as I believe a study you commissioned has already suggested. In particular, the bend where Ms Bryden went off the road needs urgent  attention. I also wonder if temporary measures at this dangerous bend could be implemented until such time as barriers are erected.

A further point which I noted on the drive between Fort William and Mallaig was that while several townships on the road have 40mph speed restrictions, there is none at Lochailort. The clearest comparison is  the 40mph limit at Arisaig, which is just as dispersed a settlement as Lochailort is. So I would ask you to consider imposing a 40 mph limit around the Lochailort junction too.

As I regard this as a very important matter I am happy to meet you at the site so you can see first hand why this is a particular problem.

Given that I am genuinely concerned that life is at risk I would appreciate a rapid response to this letter, and so I am copying in Duncan MacNeill who spoke with my assistant on Monday.

Yours etc.