Concerns are growing over the ongoing A835 roadworks at Garve, with local campaigners and community representatives calling for greater transparency over the progress of the major repair project.
The retaining wall works at Loch Garve have been under traffic management since January 2024 after a vehicle damaged the wall supporting the trunk road.
Major reconstruction work began in April this year and is currently scheduled to continue until the end of November, with the project replacing the damaged retaining wall, installing new safety barriers and protecting both the A835 and the adjacent railway line.
However, Garve and District Community Council says local residents have become increasingly frustrated by lengthy traffic queues, prolonged disruption and periods where little or no activity appears to have been taking place on site.
The concerns have become more pronounced during the busy summer months, when the A835 carries significantly higher volumes of traffic serving communities, businesses and visitors travelling through the Highlands.
Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, Innes John Munro, has now joined calls for BEAR Scotland to provide more regular updates on the project.
He said:
“I fully appreciate that this is a technically complex engineering project and that public safety must come first.
“However, communities who have lived with these restrictions for more than two years deserve regular, transparent communication about the progress being made.
“People want reassurance that the project remains on track for completion by the end of November, and if there are any changes or challenges, they should be communicated openly and promptly.
“The current uncertainty is adding to the frustration already being experienced by residents, businesses and everyone who relies on this vital route.
“BEAR Scotland needs to provide better updates to the communities affected and give confidence that every effort is being made to deliver the project within the published timescale.”
Garve and District Community Council has written to BEAR Scotland seeking clarification on a number of issues, including whether the appointed contractor remains in place, why there has appeared to be limited activity on site in recent weeks and whether the works remain on schedule for completion by the end of November.
Sadie Michaela Harris of Garve and District Community Council said:
“We are doing all that we can but as you see, Bear Scotland have been able to use ‘delay’ yet again, according to Alison Irvine’s letter to Maree Todd MSP, 23rd July 2026.
“It is wholly unacceptable.
“Deadlines have been missed now on at least four occasions.
“Frankly ludicrous.
“Where does the accountability happen when deadlines get moved over and over again?
“This is the same repair it ever was.
“The work required hasn’t changed, neither has the environment of the required repair.
“Bear Scotland have been invited to GDCC meeting to answer questions.
“No reply to that either as yet.
“Our next Community Council meeting is via Zoom on Tuesday 4 August at 7pm and everyone is welcome.
“Meanwhile our website gdcc.scot shares the news as we receive it.”
Mr Munro welcomed the Community Council’s efforts to represent local residents and said he hoped BEAR Scotland’s response would provide the reassurance communities have been seeking.
He added that while everyone understood the need for essential repairs to be carried out safely, people also deserved confidence that progress was being made and that disruption would end as planned.
