As part of its project to upgrade electricity supplies for communities on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, SSEN Distribution will be installing cable ducts under the A861 at the start of next month. For the safety of road-users and staff on site, this section of the road will be temporarily closed when work is under way.

The ducting will be installed adjacent to the Corran Lighthouse, and local company Corrigan Contractors will be carrying out this essential work on behalf of SSEN over the course of two nights.

To minimise the impact on road-users and the vital ferry service, the closures will become into operation after the last crossing of the evening and prior to the first service the following morning.

The temporary closures will be taking place on the following dates and times:

  • Wednesday 3 November: 21:30 - 06:30 the following morning, and
  • Thursday November: 21:30 - 06:30 the following morning.

Special arrangements are being put in place for Emergency Service vehicles.

A short diversion route is also being implemented which will be clearly marked throughout the roadworks, and drivers are advised to allow some additional time for their journeys.

Metal plates will be in place on 4 November to ensure driver safety over the excavation. Motorists are advised to approach with caution, and cross accordingly.

SSEN says that the ducts will provide a safe and secure housing for the new power cables which have been installed under the bed of Loch Linnhe, as they come ashore to be connected to the main electricity network.

Mel Chisholm, SSEN's Lead Submarine Cables Project Manager said:

"This is one of the final phases of our ambitious project to boost the resilience of electricity supplies around the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, and we'd like to thank the local communities for their support and understanding over the past few months we've been working in the area and apologise in advance for any inconvenience these temporary road closures may cause.

"In addition to installing the new cables under the bed of Loch Linnhe to improve the reliability of our communities' power supplies, our colleagues from the local depot have also replaced a section of the overhead line in Ardgour with new underground cable, which not only improves the scenic beauty of this area, it also boosts network resilience by removing the potential for damage from high winds."

The project has been widely welcomed throughout the region, with Ardgour Community Council being particularly supportive of SSEN's efforts.

Samantha Thomson, Chair of Ardgour Community Council said:

"SSEN has kept us fully informed since the very earliest stages of this project, and we've welcomed their regular contact and progress reports from the locally-based team, as well as the benefits that come from undergrounding a section of overhead line.

"We're happy that the special measures and diversion route being put in place during the overnight works will minimise disruption, and recognise that these essential works will ensure a stable and secure power supply for our community as well as the wider peninsula."

Should drivers or members of the community have any further questions, they can contact SSEN's project team directly by emailing submarinecables@sse.com.