The popular Wellington lay-by viewing point on the A82 at Loch Ness is to have a number of parking spaces freed up following successful works undertaken earlier this year, announced Transport Minister Keith Brown today.

Monitoring of these stabilisation and drainage repairs undertaken in Spring has found that a further 80 metre stretch at the northern end of the lay-by is safe to be reopened to traffic. The viewing point lay-by was initially closed after deterioration of the retaining wall meant it became unstable, with a short stretch re-opened to the public after earlier remedial works.

Mr Brown said: “This is good news for tourists and the local community along the A82 at Loch Ness.

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“There has been much local campaigning for the Wellington lay-by and, whilst we are not able to re-open the whole lay-by until full strengthening and stabilisation works are complete, this additional 80 metres will provide more parking spaces and ease traffic and tourist frustrations.

“This is another positive for the A82, following on the heels of our earlier announcement that there will be £500,000 engineering and environmental studies between Fort William and Tarbert – crucial steps to develop the Strategic Road Projects Review work.”

Prior to extending the available parking area, some additional minor works to install additional fencing and move safety barriers need to be completed. It is anticipated this work will be done over the coming weeks to allow the northern section to be re-opened in early August.

The southern end of the layby ,where the retaining wall is at its greatest height and in poor condition, will remain closed. A feasibility study is underway to determine the best solution for this, following which a scheme will be developed. Timing for the ensuing works will be dependent upon funding availability and competing priorities across the Scottish trunk road network.

(GK/KMcA)