A study of potential fixed links route corridors at Corran Narrow in Lochaber has been launched by transport infrastructure specialists, Stantec.

Jointly funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council and HITRANS, the study is exploring whether it's feasible to create a fixed link across the Corran Narrows and identify if the business case compares favourably with that of maintaining a ferry service over the next 60 years.

Stantec has identified five potential route corridors for fixed links. Two of these are for a low-level bridge, two for a high-level bridge and one for a tunnel.

Martin Johnson, interim director of strategy and regional economy at HIE, said: "In previous decades, the construction of fixed links elsewhere in the Highlands and Islands have provided sustained benefits for communities. New fixed links can offer the potential to open up remote areas to additional economic opportunities and improve access to jobs for residents. It is therefore important that these types of infrastructure interventions are duly considered when identifying the most suitable long-term option for the Corran Narrows crossing."

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An update on the project has been submitted to Highland Council's Lochaber area committee for their meeting on Wednesday (19 February). Councillors are being asked to agree that the final report of the study is submitted to Transport Scotland as soon as possible as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

Neil MacRae, Partnership Manager at Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), said: "This is a timely study that seeks to understand the business case supporting the different options for connecting across the Corran Narrows to best serve the communities of Morvern and, Adnamurchan and beyond to Mull. The final report will help local partners make the case for investment in this strategic link at a national level."

STPR2 is a Scotland-wide review of the strategic transport network across all transport modes. It will make recommendations for potential transport investments for Scottish Ministers to consider as national investment priorities in an updated 20-year (2022-2042) Infrastructure Investment Plan for Scotland.

(MH/JG)