SSEN Transmission has proposed a new route for construction traffic servicing its planned Fanellan substation that would largely bypass the village of Kiltarlity in the Highlands. The company has reached an agreement with the Beaufort Estate to direct the majority of construction traffic through the estate grounds.

This change was made in direct response to feedback from the local community about the expected volume of vehicles passing through the village during the construction period.

The alternative route proposal has been submitted to The Highland Council as an update to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Fanellan development, which was originally submitted in March.

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This new route is part of a broader set of traffic mitigation measures. SSEN Transmission is also in discussions with The Highland Council to potentially replace the Black Bridge, which is currently assessed as unsuitable for construction traffic.

If the Black Bridge is replaced, it would serve as the main construction traffic route, bypassing Kiltarlity and securing a route for transformer deliveries to the site, currently scheduled for 2029. SSEN Transmission believes this replacement would provide a lasting benefit to the local community.

Callum Petrie, Senior Consents and Environments Manager from SSEN Transmission, said the agreement with the Beaufort Estate was a "direct result of feedback from the local community and The Highland Council" and that he looked forward to the proposals being considered as part of the wider planning application.