Further blasting work is planned to start next week as part of the  £9.6 million upgrade of the notorious Berriedale Braes stretch of A9 road. 

The £9.6m contract to make the improvements was awarded to RJ MacLeod Ltd, a Dingwall based contractor, at the beginning of the year and work at the site has progressed well over the summer.

This next round of blasting will allow the final areas of hard rock to be removed and was given the go-ahead after it was confirmed by the project ecologist that the last of the breeding fulmars had left their nearby nesting grounds.  

The blasting will take place on the following dates, one blast is expected on each day, between 2pm and 4pm:

• Tuesday 24th September
• Thursday 3rd October
• Tuesday 15th October

The work is expected to cause minimum disruption and steps have been taken to ensure public health and safety.

Traffic should expect to be held for no longer than 15 minutes on either side of the A9 to ensure the safety of road users before and after the blasts.  

Warning procedure prior to the blast will involve: three short blasts on the siren 2 minutes before firing followed by two short blasts 1 minute before firing and then one short blast 10 seconds before firing, then the blast will be fired. Once the safety inspection has been completed and the area made safe there will be one long blast on the siren.

Residents are asked to please ensure that pets and young children are kept away from the site during the blasting period in order to ensure their safety and protection.

The works will go ahead unless adverse weather conditions force it to be delayed. 

If you have any queries or concerns regarding any of the above please contact Craig Donn, Site Agent, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd Telephone: 07765 402 947 Email: cdonn@rjmcleod.co.uk