The first stage of assessment of options for replacing the A890 Stromeferry Bypass is on target and will be completed by the end of April, the Highland Council has said.

Since the bypass opened in 1970 it has seen a number of rock face failures, the most recent of these being on Christmas Day last year. The road re-opened on 27 December following removal of an overhanging crag.

Options range in cost between £23m and £115m and include by-passing the existing loch-side route via the Attadale Estate between Strathcarron Junction and Udalain and bridging the narrows between Lochcarron and Stromeferry.

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URS Infrastructure and Environment UK Ltd. has been commissioned by the Highland Council to assess and develop the options as part of a STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) report.

The group has been assisting the Council in engaging with local interested groups to appraise the options, which were unveiled at a public meeting in Lochcarron in June last year.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chair of the TEC Services Committee, said: "I fully appreciate the importance of the assessment of the options to remove the hazards of rockfall on the existing A890 and am pleased to assure local residents that we are on target to report our findings by the end of April and agree a way forward at our May meeting."

He has recommended Council staff and contractor TRAC due to their prompt response to the latest rockfall.

(IT/GK)