'Crisis point': Scottish Highlands town suffering from 'horrendous' 45-minute traffic delays

Severe traffic congestion in a town considered a gateway to the Scottish Highlands has hit “crisis point”, businesses have warned, amid fears the problem will drive away investment.

Fort William - a popular outdoors destination - is increasingly being plagued by traffic queues and delays.

Residents have reported journeys through the town that would have previously been five minutes are now taking as long as 45 minutes, with the worst of the congestion centred around the A82. The route through Fort William connects the Highlands with central Scotland and provides access to popular destinations such as Ben Nevis and Glen Coe.

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce said getting through Fort William was a problem that had now reached a "crisis point".

The economic body has spent much of the past decade trying to win funding for road improvements, meeting with three separate Scottish Government transport ministers over the past six years.

The chamber is demanding urgent action be taken by the Scottish and UK governments and Transport Scotland, with chief executive Frazer Coupland telling BBC Naidheachdan: "I don't think there is a single business in Fort William it's [the traffic] not affecting. Businesses are not sure whether to invest."

An aerial view looking across Fort William | Contributed

Mr Coupland cited the case of BSW Timber, situated on the outskirts of Fort William. The company had chosen not to press ahead with doubling the 500,000 logs it processed each year, despite having the capacity, because of delays in site deliveries.

"The sawmill wants to invest and increase its production,” Mr Coupland said. "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."

Salmond producer Mowi has also expressed frustration at getting materials in and out of its Fort William base, with processing director Scott Nolan saying: "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."

A campervan parked near Fort William. The town, often viewed as the gateway to the Highlands, is battling from severe traffic congestion. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images | Getty Images

Transport company Shiel Buses has meanwhile reduced its day-time 30-minute service through the town’s Corpach and Plantation areas to a bus running only every 60 minutes.

David Phillips, the company’s managing director, told the BBC: "There are two types of congestion - one that is happening all the time and then peak seasonal traffic, which is horrendous to be fair."

Mr Coupland added: “Fort William is and continues to be a great place for businesses to operate. Major employers are looking to grow locally, including SSE Renewables, which has proposed the Coire Glas Pumped Hydro Storage Scheme, the largest engineering project in the Highlands for 80 years, near Fort William.

“However, transport infrastructure affects every business and every person in Fort William and the wider west highland area, and Lochaber urgently needs investment in its road network to help the Scottish economy grow and prosper.”

The Scottish Government is working with Highland Council on a 2040 masterplan for Fort William that involves addressing traffic into and through the town. A proposal to develop an integrated transport plan (ITP) for Fort William is included in the Government’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review.

A Scottish Government spokesperson 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."