1. Eskdalemuir Timber Haul Route / Village Bypass
Summary of project:
- To construct 4.2km of new forest haulage route for timber around the village of Eskdalemuir
- To strengthen three sections of the B723 from Watcarrick to Sandyford Bridge and the south of Boreland
- To create a new 3000m trail for walkers and cyclists from the Kagu Samye Ling Tibetan Buddist Centre to the Village of Eskdalemuir
This project will remove around 10,500 timber lorry journeys away from the community of Eskdalemuir whilst creating new recreational possibilities with the creation of the new trail.
Award: £2.5 million
Co-finance: Dumfries & Galloway Council, Forestry Commission
2. Argyll and Bute B836 Glenmassen Timber Haul Route
Summary of project:
- Road improvements on the B836
- Widen and strengthen 2.6km of the B836
- Improve visibility and drainage on the B836
- Introduce traffic calming measures at Clachaig village and Balagowan Bridge
This project will improve the road for timber haulage thereby diverting 300,000 tonnes of timber from Glenmassen.
Award: £655,000
Co-finance: HITRANS, Northern Energy Developments Ltd, Argyll & Bute Council
3. North Ayrshire Arran Link Road
Summary of project:
- To construct 15.4km of new in-forest road on the Isle of Arran
- Construction of one road bridge and two large culverts to protect water courses
This project will allow timber lorries to travel through five different forests, thereby removing 24,000 tonnes per annum off the B880 and significantly reducing the volume of timber lorries that use the town of Brodick.
Award: £318,000
Co-finance: Dumfries & Galloway Council, Forestry Commission
4. Argyll and Bute Peaton Hill Timber Haulage Route
Summary of project:
The construction of a new 2.5km section of forest road will remove around 4000 lorry movements from Kilcreggan and Garelochhead. This will also almost completely relieve timber lorries on the B833.
Award: £45,000
Co-finance: Argyll & Bute Council, Private Woodland Owner
5. Argyll and Bute Ardfern Bypass
Summary of project:
The project will remove timber lorries from the B8002 that runs through Ardfern by the creation of a bypass haulage route. This will involve:
- Upgrade of 3km of new forest road
- Realignment of 0.4km of existing road to enable timber transport
- Diverting existing traffic and connecting with the Lunga road close to the A816
Award: £40,000
Co-finance: Scottish Woodlands, Private Woodland Owner
6. Dumfries and Galloway Round Timber Haulage Driver Training Programme
Summary of project:
The project will develop and pilot a training course to provide specialist training for timber hauliers. This training will be aimed at:
- Reducing the environmental and social impacts of timber haulage
- Training hauliers in safe and fuel-efficient loading techniques
- Reduced carbon emissions through fuel efficient driving techniques
- Improve safety for both timber hauliers and other road users
Award: £17,700
Co-finance: Scottish Enterprise, John Miller Transport
7. South of Scotland Timber Transport Officer, Ayrshire, Borders and Dumfries and Galloway
Summary of project:
The appointment of a Timber Transport Officer for the areas of Ayrshire, Borders and Dumfries and Galloway is essential to ensure that local timber transport issues are both identified and overcome.
With an overall output of some 2.5million tonnes there are real challenges to ensure that timber is harvested and transported efficiently and cost-effectively from source to mill, whilst minimising the impact on the environment, local communities and the public.
Award: £85,000
Co-finance: Dumfries & Galloway Council, South Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Scottish Borders Council, Forestry Commission.
