Home   News   Article

Motorists in for easier drive as new section of road at Berriedale opens today, replacing a notorious hairpin bend


By Alan Hendry

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
A lorry making its way up the A9 last month after the new carriageway at Berriedale began operating under a traffic light system. Picture: Derek Bremner
A lorry making its way up the A9 last month after the new carriageway at Berriedale began operating under a traffic light system. Picture: Derek Bremner

The new section of the A9 at Berriedale Braes will open to traffic later today.

The improved road alignment, which takes out the notorious hairpin bend on the north brae, is intended to speed up journey times and enhance road safety by removing the need for vehicles to slow down or stop – although one Highland councillor has concerns over reports about the increased speeds of some southbound vehicles approaching the left-hand bend at the bottom of the braes.

The £9.6 million project supported more than 50 jobs during the peak of construction.

Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “I welcome the opening of this key improvement project today, which will now begin to deliver improved road safety as well as better journey times for A9 road users.

“I would also like to pass on my appreciation to the contractors, RJ McLeod, for their hard work and effort in constructing this project. They have been mindful from the outset of the strategic importance of this key route in the picturesque Highlands and the need to balance the delivery of complex engineering works with measures to mitigate impacts on the surrounding environment.

“During a visit last summer , I was able to see some of the measures the contractor took, including using alternative techniques to remove a vast quantity of rock while avoiding disturbance of the nearby coastal bird colony during breeding season.”

An aerial view of Berriedale taken before the improvement project began, showing the tight bend on the north side.
An aerial view of Berriedale taken before the improvement project began, showing the tight bend on the north side.

RJ McLeod will remain on site for a time to carry out finishing and landscaping work. A temporary 30 mph speed restriction will be in place for around seven days after the road opening to allow the workforce to carry out landscaping and verge works adjacent to the road.

Scott Marr, site agent for RJ McLeod, said: “We are delighted to see the works concluded and the new road opening at Berriedale Braes. The works have been designed and constructed to alleviate previous issues with tight bends and steep gradients on this notorious stretch of road.

"We trust that the travelling public will now enjoy a safer and more comfortable travel experience on this stretch of the A9.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community and the general travelling public for their patience throughout the construction period.”

Highland councillor Matthew Reiss (Thurso and Northwest Caithness) said: "I am obviously pleased to see the end of the notorious hairpin bend. This is good news.

"Less good is that several professional drivers have voiced unease to me about the now increased speeds of southbound traffic approaching the left-hand bend at the bottom of the braes, next to the estate office and the River Bothy. We will need to watch this carefully and I hope my concerns are misplaced.

"Over and above this improvement, I again stress that no further significant improvements are planned for either the A99 or A9 north from Dornoch for the next decade, according to Transport Scotland.

"Several minor projects have been suggested, such as relocating the old school crossing patroller's hut at Helmsdale. While welcoming any expenditure I do respectfully suggest the £1.6bn cost of the A9 Inverness to Perth dualling seems striking if nothing is planned for the far north.

"This may sound a bit ungrateful but every driver in Caithness knows some sections of the road are well below a reasonable standard."


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More