The Earl of Selkirkasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to improve the trunk road A.830 from Fort William to Mallaig, whose condition is now potentially dangerous.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Fraser of Carmyllie)The Government's plans to complete the upgrading of the A.830 are making good progress. Of the 72 kilometres between Fort William and Mallaig only 27 kilometres remain to be improved. Preparation for an £8 million bypass of Morar, and including the various statutory procedures, has now been completed and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland was able to announce in March that construction of this scheme was expected to start in the current financial year. This represents significant further progress. Preparation work for other improvements on the route is being carried forward taking account of the important environmental factors associated with road construction in this area.