Fort William traffic congestion at ‘crisis point’, say businesses

Businesses are warning that traffic congestion in and around Fort William is preventing them from expanding.

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce said getting through the town had been a problem for years but it was now at “crisis point”.

BSW Timber and fish farm company Mowi are among businesses to express frustration at delays getting raw materials in and getting products out.

The Scottish government said it had plans for improving travel through the town.

Fort William and the wider Lochaber area are known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK due to its landscape, which includes Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, and availability of outdoor sports.

Some of the worst congestion is on the A82, which runs through Fort William and connects the Highlands with central Scotland.

Local residents say journeys through the town that would normally take five minutes now take as long as 45 minutes.

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce said it had met three different Scottish government transport ministers over the last six years in an effort to secure road improvements.

Chief executive Frazer Coupland told BBC Naidheachdan: “I don’t think there is a single business in Fort William it’s not affecting.

“Businesses are not sure whether to invest.”

BSW Timber said its sawmill in Fort William had the capacity to double the 500,000 logs it processed each year, but was unable to do so due to delays getting materials to the site.

Mr Coupland said: “The sawmill wants to invest and increase its production.

“But if getting its product in and out of the mill is a problem then maybe it has to look at investing elsewhere.

“That is really quite frightening.”

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce said about 40% of exports from Scotland’s salmon farming sector left for overseas markets from Fort William.

Scott Nolan, of fish farm company Mowi, said: “The toughest part of the journey to market for our product is getting through Fort William.

“Delays leaving the area can lead to missed connections and markets not being reached.”

Shiel Buses said it had reduced parts of its service because of congestion.

The Corpach side of its network, along with the town’s Plantation area now has a bus every 60 minutes instead of 30 through the middle of the day.

The firm’s David Phillips said: “There are two types of congestion – one that is happening all the time and then peak seasonal traffic, which is horrendous to be fair.”

He said an arrangement that gave buses and taxis priority would boost confidence in public transport and take cars off the roads.

John Hutchison, a former local authority roads engineer, said improvements, including a link road, had been in the planning system since the 1970s but had not been progressed since the late 1980s.

He told BBC Naidheachdan improving the A82 was likely to be looked at as the way forward.

The Scottish government said its second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) included a proposal to develop an integrated transport plan (ITP) for Fort William.

It is also working with Fort William 2040 Masterplan, a project that involves Highland Council, on improving travel around the town.

The Scottish government said: “We recognise the transport challenges being faced in and around Fort William.

“Transport Scotland met with relevant local and regional partners last month to explore roles and responsibilities and funding for the ITP.

“Further discussions will look to finalise arrangements.”