£9 million Berriedale Braes contract put to market

Long-awaited changes to the hairpin bend at Berriedale Braes, in Caithness, took a step forward recently as a road contract was put to market by the Scottish Government.

The notice, which outlines construction costs at around £9 million, invites prospective bidders to apply to participate in making significant changes to the stretch of the A9.

The project will see alterations to the road alignment and the existing tight hairpin bend, according to Transport Scotland, with the scheme aiming to improve road safety and journey times by removing the need for vehicles to slow down or stop to negotiate the bend.

In Orkney, road safety issues at Berriedale were highlighted in May 2010, when a bus, full of young Orkney athletes, suffered brake failure on one of the hairpin bends and veered off the carriageway.

Only the reinforced steel barriers on the side of the road prevented the coach going over the edge into the deep gully below.

Speaking as the construction contract went to market last Friday, Minister for Transport & Islands, Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government has been working to progress this much-needed improvement to the A9 at Berriedale Braes.

“The hairpin bend and steep hill have presented drivers, in particular, HGVs and other long vehicles, with a very challenging road to negotiate.

“Today’s milestone is a major step forward to delivering the benefits for road users and local communities. This along with a contract notice also issued today for the Maybole Bypass in South Ayrshire, provides the construction industry with significant contract opportunities.

“This brings the total value of contracts awarded and advertised over recent months to £174m, demonstrating this Government’s continued commitment to improving the transport network.”

The bidders which best meet the criteria successfully will be invited to tender for the Berriedale Braes project. Work is expected to get underway next year.