North Coast 500 Roadworks Delayed After Community Outcry Over 80-Mile Diversion
Plans for a major electricity upgrade in the north-west Highlands, which would have caused an 80-mile diversion on the iconic North Coast 500 (NC500) route, have been postponed. The delay comes after significant backlash from local residents concerned about the impact of the roadworks on their daily lives. SSEN Transmission, the company managing the project, has agreed to delay the works until at least January 2026.
The Planned Roadworks and Community Response
The project involves bringing a renewable energy cable from the Western Isles ashore at Dundonnell. A three-mile stretch of the A832 was slated to be closed for around 14 hours a day, between 7am and 9pm, in two phases: from October 27 to mid-December and again from January to March 2026. This closure would have resulted in an 80-mile detour for residents living west of the works, severely impacting access to essential services and the nearby A835.
The proposed closure sparked a petition signed by over 700 people, highlighting the "wholly unworkable and wholly inadequate" nature of the plans for businesses, carers, school runs, deliveries, and visitors. The community emphasized their support for essential works but stressed the need for access that allows daily life to function.
Voices of the Community
Lisa Stewart, a resident of nearby Badcaul, voiced strong concerns about the impact on the community: "This is already a fragile community and isolated and this will make it more so. It is going to seriously impact and affect people's ability to go to health appointments, to vet appointments, deliveries, everyday life in general." She added, "To plan these works during the dark winter months is just ridiculous."
Trish Stevens, owner of the Dundonnell Hotel, expressed fears that the roadworks would deter tourists from travelling the NC500 route, potentially jeopardizing her business. "It could mean the difference between us actually surviving or not," she stated, adding that local people felt their viewpoints were being ignored.
SNP MSP Maree Todd also questioned the timing and location of the works, calling the original proposals "really unworkable for the community." She highlighted the limited road access, with the road only open three times a day, leaving residents stranded for hours if they missed the allocated time slots.
SSEN Transmission's Response and Future Plans
Niall MacLeod, SSEN Transmission project director, stated that the company is actively considering feedback and exploring alternative solutions to minimize disruption. "While we continue to consider alternative solutions to minimise the impact of these essential works, such as single lane closures or night-time working, we would like to reassure the local community and road users that no works will take place in October and will not start until the new year at the earliest."
SSEN Transmission plans to hold further engagement sessions with locals in October to inform revised plans. The company aims to find solutions that allow the essential renewable energy cable project to proceed while mitigating the negative impact on the local community.
