Work on the sixth and final contract to upgrade the A851 road between Broadford and Armadale, Sleat, Isle of Skye, is on target to be completed in October.

This will upgrade the road from a tortuous single track and passing place standard to a modern six-metre wide two-lane carriageway on a free-flowing alignment.

The road has been sensitively designed to blend in with the environment of this highly scenic area of Skye with splendid views over the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart and Loch Nevis. The sections through the Crofting Townships have an element of traffic calming incorporated into the layout to reduce speeds and footpaths have been included in the design over these sections.

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The final 3.5 kilometre stretch of road between Teangue and Kilbeg is progressing well and will bring the total spending on the overall route to £15m.

The current £2.5m contract is being carried out for The Highland Council by R J McLeod Ltd, who also completed the third phase from Isle Ornsay to Teangue; the fourth phase between Armadale and the Gaelic College at Sabhal Mor Ostaig; and the fifth phase between Duisdale and Duisdalemore.

All of the phases have been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Earlier this week, the Convener of The Highland Council, Sandy Park, Vice-Convener Jean Urquhart and Chief Executive Alistair Dodds visited the construction site and were given a progress report on the project by the Resident Engineer, Bob Spence.

Councillor Park said: "The stretch of road between Broadford and Armadale must now be one of the best in the Highlands. It provides a safe and speedier journey for local motorists, public transport and service vehicles and is a very welcome economic boost to the area. "The road will at last be able to cope with the many touring coaches and vistiors that are now attracted to this area of Skye via the Mallaig - Armadale ferry which has a modern Ro-Ro linkspan facility."

(GK/JM)