A dedicated team of road markers is hard at work this summer, helping to make Highland roads safer for everyone.
Highland Council’s road marking team has now been fully mobilised across the region.
Their bright white lines are already bringing fresh clarity to roads from Sutherland and Caithness to the winding routes of Skye.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, is delighted with their progress.
“The Council has invested significantly in maintaining and improving our roads,” he said.
“Our new road marking team is an important part of this programme, helping to make travel safer for communities across the Highlands.”
He added:
“It is great to see the team taking full advantage of the recent good weather, covering so much ground in the north-west and Skye despite the challenging geography.”
“The new vehicles are helping us get the job done quickly and with as little disruption to local people as possible.”
Since April, the team has completed around 150 kilometres of new white lines.
This work has focused on Sutherland, Caithness and the Isle of Skye.
Over the summer months, another 190 kilometres of road markings are planned across Lochaber, Ross and Cromarty, Badenoch and Strathspey and Inverness.
While timings will depend on the weather, the Council aims to give advance notice to communities through its social media channels.
Behind each crisp new road marking is a team of four skilled operatives using two specialised lorries.
One lorry preheats and delivers the thermoplastic lining material.
The second lorry applies this hot material onto the road surface, forming either edge or centre lines.
Reflective glass beads are then added to boost night-time visibility, followed by a cooling spray of clean water which allows traffic to flow again almost immediately.
This road marking programme is part of Highland Council’s wider £2.1 billion Highland Investment Plan.
The plan will provide 20 years of funding for roads and transport, schools, offices and community facilities across the region.
Every new line painted is another small step towards safer roads and stronger communities in the Highlands.
