A82 closed between Corran and Fort William. 161.7 miles diversion in operation :shock:
''Northbound Continue southbound on the A82 to Crianlarich – Follow the A82/A85 to Lochearnhead – Turn left onto the A85 and continue to Perth – Turn Left onto the A9 and continue to Dalwhinnie – Turn Left onto the A889 and continue to the A889/A86 Junction – Turn Left on the A86 and continue to Spean Bridge – Thereafter follow permanent signing Distance: 161.7 miles. Southbound Turn left onto A86 – Turn right onto A889 – Turn right onto A9 – Continue on the A9 to Perth – Continue on the A9 past Inveralmond Roundabout and take the offslip road to the A85. Turn right at the roundabout and continue on the A85 to Lochearnhead – Turn Right onto the A85 and continue to Tyndrum – Thereafter follow permanent signing. Distance: 161.7 miles'
I just checked again and it appears to be open. The original time was half past one and I imagine it was an accident as they weren't giving an opening time.
In the old days when there was an accident the roads seldom closed for long. All this seemed to change about 20 years ago with the extensive investigations we now get. Anyone know what changed the way these things are dealt with?
This was a fatal accident Fred and the investigations go on for a lot longer.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-26836634 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-26836634)
I realise that Sandy, but folk have been killed on our roads for a very long time. The investigations seem to take much longer now. Was there a definite point or event that changed this? Just curious. I remember being stuck for hours on the road between Laggan Bridge and Roy Bridge. The cops were waiting for the accident investigation team to arrive from Dingwall. :?
You answered your own question Fred. Years ago the local police and fire brigade did the investigation, determined what happened from eye witnesses and measuring the road. Now they have to wait for a specialised investigation team to arrive and carry out all the measuring and figuring out of what happened. Traffic in the past would be allowed through as quickly as possible but now H&S imsist on the road being closed to keep the investigators safe.
I work with an ex SA police commander who, like us, couldn't understand why it took so long to do the investigations. They would do the investigation and clear the road in a few hours. He reckons in his time there he did hundreds of accident investigations.
OK that makes sense. In an area where there are few alternative routes it might be reasonable to expect delays and diversions to be kept to a minimum. What seemed nuts to me was having the investigation team for Laggan side based in Dingwall. That said perhaps they were based locally but were up investigating at Dingwall.
I asked a policeman pal about the crazy time it now takes to reopen a road compared to years gone by, even a dual carriageway with a lane spare to be used. The answer I got - it is now treated as a crime scene and potentially a murder scene!
A London fireman comes up here fishing. He told the tale of a car falling off a transporter, it hit nothing, nobody injured. The investigation closed the M1 northbound for four hours on a Friday afternoon on the basis of a potential criminal act or a Elf and Safety prosecution.
Its that time of the year again, noticed it on Monday driving into town, wonder if it was due to over taking into blind corner ?
If it is the one i know about, it was someone mental overtaking by a mini or fiesta if i remember, then lost control and hit tree when swerving back into lane after overtake.
Luckily no other people or vehicle involved, so only killed himself.
On the other hand, it could have been one of the many other accidents in that area already this year.