Home   News   Article

Sutherland roads among those to benefit from timber transport funding


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!

Projects in the Highlands that help improve the transport of timber have been awarded over £2.2 million from the Scottish Government.

Several routes in Sutherland are to benefit from the cash boost which will go to Highland Council as well as a private project at Ardnamurchan.

The support is co-financed and drawn from the Strategic Timber Transport Fund, managed by Scottish Forestry.

The money goes mostly towards improve minor roads – improving surfaces, widening corners, adding traffic-calming measures or providing passing places. These measures are designed to help keep the flow of timber moving and reduce the impact on communities.

Màiri McAllan, Scotland's minister for environment, biodiversity and land reform, said: “A green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic is imperative and, as part of that, we are committed to supporting our forestry sector given its role in our transition to net-zero.

"The sector also provides thousands of jobs and generates around £1 billion to our economy each year.

“By improving our timber transport network we can help the industry get its timber to market and ensure economic benefits continue. It will also reduce the effects that timber lorries can have on small communities.”

The roads to get improvements include:

  • A837 Rosehall to Benmore
  • B873 Altnaharra and Syre
  • A897 Helmsdale Melvich road strengthening
  • U2054 Saval Road, Lairg
  • B9176 Struie Hill

In addition, the funding will pay for the continuation of a timber transport project officer who advises and assists with generating local projects.

A private woodland owner in Ardnamurchan will receive a £130,000 contribution to construct a timber stacking area, build a small bridge and upgrade a section of a forest road to help move timber out of the forest.

In the past five years, the Scottish Government has invested around £41 million through the fund into more than 200 timber transport projects, helping over 55 million tonnes of timber get to market.


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