Headway in removing flood threat to A86 in Laggan

Moves to prevent a causeway in Laggan carrying a main trunk road from being washed away by the next big flood are in the pipeline, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has revealed.

SEPA has been urged to issue a licence to allow the extraction of a gravel bar a short distance up river on the Spey which is posing a danger to the A86 Newtonmore-Fort William road.

Laggan residents have been concerned that SEPA has failed to recognise the urgent need for the work and the threat to the road, which also provides a critical national link between the east and west of the country.

There is currently a single track in operation over the causeway because of flood damage that was caused by torrential rainfall in November, last year.

A nearby flood bund burst its bank as a result and torrents of the river inundated the A86.

A SEPA spokesman said that although it has yet to receive a formal application for works to be carried out, it could confirm that it had received a draft application from Highland Council for sediment management on the Spey.

He added: "The council has advised that a final application will be submitted in a matter of days and SEPA is expecting its imminent arrival.

"Upon receipt, SEPA will prioritise the application and process it in accordance with the regulatory methods and guidance agreed with the Scottish Government.

"This will include consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Spey Fisheries Board.

"Consultation with these third parties is of particular importance as the River Spey and its tributaries are designated as Special Areas of Conservation in order to protect salmon, lamprey and fresh water pearl mussels.

"All three species are sensitive to river engineering works and it is particularly relevant at this time of year due to the salmon spawning season."

The spokesman said that SEPA would continue to work closely with Highland Council and all other interested parties to ensure the issue was resolved as effectively as possible while ensuring minimal environmental impact.

The cost of the work is expected to be a five figure sum and will fall on the landowner.

But it is understood that he is reluctant to carry out repairs to the flood bund until the gravel bar is removed because of fear that the same thing will happen again.

Laggan residents have spoken of their fears that the A86 is in danger of being totally washed away if there is another flood, possibly resulting in parts of Laggan being cut off from central provisions.

The flooding last November caused a breach in the ‘informal’ flood bund on to neighbouring land and then flooded the A86.

Local Highland councillors said they had made representation in the strongest possible terms to SEPA since them.

They say the only practical short term solution to the problem is to get rid of the gravel bar, which would provide 10 to 20 years of good flow in the river.

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, Dave Thompson, has also been pressing SEPA and Highland Council to urgently remove the gravel bar.

Mr Thompson has been in touch with SEPA and Highland Council over the last few months to work towards a quick solution to the problem.

He said: "It is crucial that work on the gravel bar begins as soon as possible, ensuring that no further flooding occurs. Most importantly, SEPA does not appear to have any reason to reject Highland Council’s application and so the removal will not be delayed or hampered.

He added: "I think we can be optimistic that the work will be completed as soon as possible with minimum interference."

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