Newtonmore lane's controversial closure will not happen
After a long-running controversy over a lane in Newtonmore, Highland Council has decided not to close it off but to instal steel barriers which will protect buildings from passing traffic.
Concerns over Curley’s Lane led to a demonstration at last month’s village community council. Objectors demanded that the plan to close it should not go ahead despite family fears over damage being done to the property Cor-an-Easan by delivery lorries, coaches and the like.
The council’s area roads team commissioned an independent engineering report but it was delayed by the Covid pandemic.
Eventually it advised that structural cracks did not suggest evidence of wider structural distress.
It stated: “The cracking is considered to be as a result of minor settlement of the underlying formation soils to the south-west corner of the building.
“We consider the recently installed drainage to this corner has potentially loosened the soils to this area, resulting in the cracking noted.
“Restriction of HGV access to Curley’s Lane should be considered to minimise vibration to foundation formation soils and to eliminate risk of further impact damage to the property.”
Roads officers considered closing the road which would quickly, cheaply, and permanently eliminate all issues raised by community councillors.
They conferred with statutory consultees and the local community.
A council spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, some people mistook the informal process for a permanent order but a wide range of opinions were fed back.
“The response contained significant reasons supporting the need to keep the access open, so, the confirmed position is that the road will remain open.”
A bull barrier will instead centralise the traffic flow, without the need for a width restriction.