Dave Thompson MSP

SKYE, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson is to chair a public meeting to give a progress report on work to improve a notorious West Highland road which has been the scene of numerous road accidents, including one which claimed the lives of two local youngsters.

At 5.30pm next Friday [Nov 18] Mr Thompson will be joined at Astley Hall in Arisaig by road experts from Transport Scotland, Northern Constabulary officers and members of the local community. Relatives of Kirsty Bryden and Roddy MacInnes, who died when the car they were travelling in left the A830 in September last year, have been also invited to attend. Following that accident, Mr Thompson worked with Kirsty’s father, retired local policeman John Bryden and other local interests to press for the addition of a crash barrier on the corner where Kirsty (19) and Roddy (17) were killed and a detailed analysis of the road’s surface and layout.

“We need to find out what lies behind the shocking number of accidents on this stretch of road,” said Mr Thompson, “so I hope that next week’s meeting will allow us to hear more about extra measures to improve public safety on this route.

“Concerns have been raised about a number of potential road hazards, such as spillages, negative cambers and mud thrown onto the road surface when vehicles stray onto the verge and also about a road surface that is said to reduce road-holding in wet weather.

Mr Thompson added: “I wish to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of John Bryden to record and document evidence from dozens of incidents and to bring these to the attention of Transport Scotland, the body responsible for ensuring the road is safe and fit for purpose.”