SSEN Transmission completes first stage of Auchterawe Road upgrade

As part of its Fort Augustus Substation redevelopment project, SSEN Transmission has completed the first stage of its upgrade to Auchterawe Road, the main route to and from site.

SSEN Transmission’s expansion of Fort Augustus substation is required to allow more renewable generation to connect to the GB transmission network, supporting the transition to net zero emmissions. As the construction phase of the works will see an increase in traffic to and from the site, when the project was consented by Highland Council one of the conditions of the consent was a requirement to resurface the road and to widen some of the passing places.

Whilst the condition only required the road improvement works from the A82 at Three Bridges up to the SSEN Fort Augustus Substation, SSEN Transmission has agreed to extend the road upgrade works through Auchterawe village, leaving a lasting legacy for local residents.

Ahead of the main construction phase of the project starting, SSEN Transmission’s contractor has been upgrading and resurfacing the road as well as extending some of the passing places along the 3km route. These works will not only to ensurethe long-term integrity of the road, but also help minimise the amount of disruption in the local area during construction.

Archie Munro, SSEN Transmission’s Lead Project Manager, explains more about the background to this essential part of the project:

“As a responsible developer we want to do everything we can to be a good neighbour to the communities in and around Fort Augustus.  These road improvement works will leave a lasting legacy for the local community and we are delighted we have been able to extend these works and make further improvements to the road through Auchterawe village.

“Following feedback from the local community we have also agreed to split the works into stow stages, minimising disruption during the holiday season.”

Stage 1 of the works saw a substantial upgrade and resurfacing of the road from the A82 entrance at the Three Bridges, all along the Great Glen Way and a substantial upgrade to the road through Jenkins Park, which incorporates not only road upgrade works but also improvements to the pedestrian walkways and the installation of two speed actuated signs in an effort to manage the speed of traffic.

Stage 2 of the works will involve the complete resurfacing of the single-track section of the road from Jenkins Park, running all the way though to SSEN Transmission’s substation. This stage of the works will be undertaken outside of the busy holiday season to minimise the impact on the local residents, including local B&B properties. SSEN Transmission has agreed with the local residents that this final phase should commence in November and last approximately six weeks.

To find out more about SSEN Transmission’s expansion of the Fort Augustus substation,  please visit the project website.