Proposed 80-mile diversion in Highlands delayed until new year

SSEN Transmission has confirmed there will be no roadworks on A832 until after the new year.

Proposed works were set to involve closing the A832 for 14 hours every day between 7am and 9pm in two blocks from October 27 to mid-December and then again from January to March 2026.

The change in date comes as residents at Dundonnell launched a petition against a renewable cable electricity upgrade, which they feared would cause disruption for months.

Residents were concerned a major electricity upgrade in the north-west Highlands could have see drivers facing an 80-mile road diversion over the winter months.

The plans, managed by SSEN Transmission, will bring a renewable energy cable from the Western Isles ashore at Dundonnell.

SSEN Transmission has confirmed that no work will take place on the A832 until January 2026 at the earliest.

It says it is currently seeking solutions that will minimise the impact of the proposed roadworks and a series of in-person engagement sessions will take place in October giving communities a further opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals.

Niall Macleod, project director for SSEN Transmission, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide their continued feedback to date.

“Whilst we continue to consider alternative solutions to minimise the impact of these essential works, such as single lane closures or night time working, we would like to reassure the local community and road users that no works will take place in October and will not start until the new year at the earliest.

“Further engagement is planned to help inform our revised plans and we would again like to thank the community for their constructive engagement and feedback, which we have taken on board.”