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A significant electricity upgrade project in the north-west Highlands is causing concern among drivers who may face an 80-mile road diversion during the winter months. SSEN Transmission is overseeing plans to bring a renewable energy cable from the Western Isles to Dundonnell, which will involve the closure of a three-mile section of the A832. Local residents have expressed opposition to the closure, citing potential negative impacts on essential services in the area.
In response to the community’s feedback, a spokesperson for SSEN Transmission stated that the firm is actively considering ways to minimize the impact of the road closure. The project aims to connect renewable energy generated in the Western Isles to the National Grid by laying an underground cable between Dundonnell and Beauly. As part of the construction work, a section of the A832 will be closed for 14 hours daily in two blocks from October to mid-December and then again from January to March 2026.
Despite SSEN’s proposal of three daily periods of amnesty on the road during construction, residents like Lisa Stewart from Badcaul remain concerned about the impact on their ability to access necessary services. Trish Stevens, owner of the Dundonnell Hotel, shared her worries about the potential loss of visitors travelling on the NC500 route and the financial strain the works may impose on local businesses. SNP MSP Maree Todd echoed community concerns, calling for a reevaluation of SSEN’s plans to address the challenges posed by the proposed road closure.
Niall MacLeod, the project director at SSEN Transmission, acknowledged the difficulties posed by the terrain and space constraints of the road during the closure period. He emphasized the company’s commitment to minimizing the impact on local communities and stakeholders and assured ongoing engagement to address feedback and develop solutions to mitigate the effects of the temporary road closure
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