Resurfacing works on the A82 Trunk Road at Nevis Roundabout: EIR release

Information requested

Information in relation to the proposed resurfacing works on the A82 Trunk Road at Nevis Roundabout. For ease of reference I have repeated your questions below along with our responses to each.

Response

As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

1. What the usual traffic numbers through the A82/A830 Nevis Roundabout would be at that time of the year and what figures you expect to pass through the site when restrictions are in place?

The average traffic flow 1312 per hour between 07:00am to 19:00pm and 214 per hour between 19:00pm to 07:00am. These Figures are for vehicles in both directions. As such it is anticipated that 214 vehicles per hour are expected to pass through site.

2. What assessments have been undertaken of the potential length of queues that are likely to develop from both directions on the A82, as well as on the A830, and whether there are maximum lengths of queue in each direction that BEAR Scotland are able to manage (either legally or from a safety point of view).

The traffic data provided in our response to question 1 was the assessment used for the queues. It is anticipated that there will be a queue of 107 vehicles northbound + 107 vehicles southbound.

3. The maximum number of vehicles that can pass through the site during each of the planned amnesties and the number of vehicles you expect to pass through the site during each amnesty? Are you confident that the planned amnesties will allow all queuing vehicles to pass through the site during each amnesty?

From info provided in Q1, it is possible for 1624 vehicles to pass through - that would be 812 vehicles per side, per hour.

4. In your correspondence dated 25th April, you said that emergency services will be allowed to pass through the site “wherever possible”. Can you clarify what “wherever possible” actually means and what situations might prevent emergency vehicles passing through the site? Can you also advise me what consideration has been given to allowing emergency vehicles to use the bridge that crosses River Nevis connecting Abrach Road with Camanachd Crescent, as well as the Old Nevis Bridge upstream of the A82 Roundabout?

Emergency services will be allowed through where site safety and safe passage permits with works paused to allow passage wherever possible. We liaise with emergency services advising of works impact to the network, working together to ensure minimal disruption to blue light services.

5. Can you advise on the reasoning behind undertaking the work when traffic numbers are high and the impact on the road users, and on the local community, will likely be greater than at other times of the year?

Our Operating Company, BEAR Scotland, require optimal temperatures and weather for laying material. As this is a very busy roundabout, so BEAR Scotland need it to perform at its best in order to best serve the motorist. Works in June is seen as the the best compromise as July/August would be ideal but very busy.

6. What analysis has been undertaken on the economic impact of the work at this time of year and whether that has been compared with undertaking the work out with the peak season for visitors?

Please see the response to Q5.

7. It is likely that many road users in June will be visitors to the area and so might be unaware of the works. What measures are being taken to ensure that both local residents and those travelling to Fort William are aware of the potential for disruption and can plan accordingly.

Signage, including Variable Message Signs, will be placed around the site and further afield to warn people in advance.

Information will also be made available on BEAR Scotland, Traffic Scotland, and the Scottish Road Works Registers websites.

Consultation will also be sent to elected officials, local businesses, Councils , public transport providers, emergency services, and Community Councils, together with notification to several hotels inthe  nearby area so they can advise their guests. Letters will also be hand delivered shortly before works begin to properties around the works area.

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