Drivers using the A835 near Garve are facing months of disruption as major retaining wall works get under way from Monday 6 April, 2026.

BEAR Scotland, working on behalf of Transport Scotland, will replace a damaged retaining wall and install new safety barriers at Loch Garve, around a mile south of the village.

The project follows damage caused by a vehicle, with temporary barriers and traffic lights already in place to keep the route open safely.

From Monday, traffic management will expand to a 300 metre stretch, with a single lane closure and two way temporary traffic lights expected to remain in place until around November 2026.

The scale of the work reflects the complexity of the site, where a narrow road, underground utility cables and steep surrounding slopes have all shaped the engineering solution.

Preparatory works including vegetation clearance, excavation and diversion of Openreach services have already been completed ahead of the main construction phase.

Engineers will now begin building a 108 metre concrete beam structure beneath the carriageway, supported by steel rods drilled deep into the rock below.

A new steel safety barrier will then be installed above ground, with the completed structure designed to last for up to 120 years.

Throughout the works, the southbound lane will remain closed, with traffic controlled by temporary signals to protect both the workforce and road users.

Access for emergency services and scheduled bus routes will be maintained for the full duration of the project.

Richard Cook of BEAR Scotland said:

“These retaining wall replacement works on the A835 at Loch Garve will restore structural stability ensuring the long term safety and integrity of the adjacent trunk road and railway line.

“Designing a new wall solution has been a complex process.

“Our teams have had to account for keeping the road and railway open, working around existing utility cables, and managing the steep slopes above and below the A835, all of which make construction particularly challenging.

“We’re working in conjunction with Network Rail and Openreach with safety as our top priority.

“We thank the local community and road users for their ongoing patience while we complete the improvements.”

Real time journey updates remain available through Traffic Scotland