1. Rannoch Rail Head
Summary of project:
- The objective of the project is to facilitate timber being transported from the Rannoch Forest Block by rail. The project will achieve a reduction of 1200 lorry trips per year and subsequent reduction in timber haulage-related emissions.
- A 20 wagon rail-side loading facility within Forestry Commission Scotland property in the Barracks Forest (Rannoch Forest Blocks). The facility will be available to any grower / timber buyer wishing to dispatch timber by rail subject to an appropriate contribution to Forestry Commission Scotland for the use of their road to access the facility.
The result of this project will be the creation of a rail-side loading facility with associated road infrastructure within the Rannoch Forest Block. This will then remove 15000 tonnes per annum of timber from the fragile rural roads within the Rannoch area, a popular tourist route.
Award: £65,820 contribution towards the road infrastructure to service the rail siding. It should be noted construction of the rail-side loading facility was supported separately through a Freight Facilities Grant.
Co-finance: UPM Tilhill, Highland Rail Partnership, Freight Facility Grant (FFG) and Forest Enterprise Scotland.
2. Rathad Mara (sea road)
Summary of project:
This project will result in a net saving of some 1.33 million lorry miles (which converts to approx. 10,000 lorry loads) by diverting timber from fragile rural roads and communities in Argyll onto sea transport.
It facilitates the construction of the necessary roads and pier head facilities to link three forests to locations where floating pier systems will enable the transfer of up to 270,000 tonnes of timber onto ships.
Award: £209,575
Co-finance: Eilanreach Estate, Glenetive Estate, Kingairloch Estate and Scottish Woodlands
3. A897 Partnership Project
Summary of project:
This project extends the principles of the B897 agreement between The Highland Council and Forest Enterprise to the 30km of the A897 between Helmsdale and Kinbrace to facilitate increased timber extraction down the latter route.
It will involve co-operative management, monitoring and development of the use of Tyre Pressure Control Systems or Low Ground Pressure vehicles on the public road and minor engineering works carried out on a proactive basis.
Award: £400,000
Co-finance: Highland Council, Forest Enterprise Scotland
4. Lorg Glen B729 Moniaive Roads
Summary of project:
- Upgrade of 6.7kms of the C35s (Lorg Road) using macafri mesh and tarmac overlay
- Install new car park and picnic facilities at Lorg Road
- Upgrade three new passing places on the C116n, extend length and width to improve conditions for regular lorry use for bypassing Moniaive
- Improve sight line and other work on the C116n, to include scrub clearance and verge works
- Contribution to the construction of new community footpath in Moniaive from the west of the village to the school - this is to include one foot bridge over Dalwhat water from the west of the village to the school.
This scheme aims to minimise the impact of substantial timber traffic on the village of Moniaive coming from the Lorg Glen. Over the next 25 years almost 1.75 million tonnes of timber will be extracted from the Lorg Glen.
Award: £630,074
Co-finance: Dumfries & Galloway Council, Private Woodland owners represented by: UPM Tilhill, Scottish Woodlands, Fountain, DGA Forestry
5. Marr Area
Summary of project:
This project intends to upgrade the C43M / C45M, the C56M and the U76S to ensure the continued transportation of timber on these fragile rural roads. Along the C43M / C45M 1150 metres of widening will be carried out and six new passing places will be constructed. Along the C56M 740 metres of widening will be carried out and four new passing places will be constructed. Along the U76S 280 metres of widening will be carried out and eight new passing places will be constructed along with the upgrading of a further eleven passing places.
Award: £82,900
Co-finance: Aberdeenshire Council
6. Forrest Estate Dundeugh Link Road
Summary of project:
- Upgrade of 300 metres of existing forest road
- The creation of 3.7km of existing forest road, a new bridge and a new bell mouth on the main trunk road.
The project will create a new in-forest road link that will re-direct 37,000 cubic metres of timber per year from the fragile U1s. Thereby reducing the impact on the local community and environment and avoid damaging to this fragile rural road.
Award: £109,480
Co-finance: Forestry Enterprise Scotland, Forrest Estate, Dumfries & Galloway Council
7. Continued Funding of the Programme Manager / Co-ordinator for the Argyll RTTG
Summary of project:
The continued support of the Argyll Timber Transport Officer is essential to ensure that local timber transport issues are both identified and overcome.
- The project will support the Argyll Strategic Timber Transport Scheme Programme Manager
- The Programme manager will implement the Argyll Timber Transport Group’s agreed development strategy
- The manager will also provide liaison and support to all stakeholders through a clear understanding of the STTS application criteria, the aims of the scheme and the strategic direction of the ATTG.
Award: £50,480
Co-finance: Argyll & Bute Council, Forestry Enterprise Scotland, UPM Tilhill, Scottish Woodlands, Balcas
8. North West Mull Community Woodland Timber Haul Route
Summary of project:
This project will remove timber traffic from the fragile public roads of North West Mull by extending the North West Mull / Forestry Enterprise Scotland timber extraction route to include the community woodlands of West Ardhu and Langamull.
- This involves upgrading a section of the C46
- The upgrading and / or new construction of 12.9km of forest road in partnership with numerous forest / estate owners both within and outside the community woodlands
- The final link to complete the Haul Route will be within the northern block of Glen Bellart forest.
The project will preserve the public road network and will unlock the community woodland resource in NW Mull, therefore enabling sustainable forest management. This will support diverse public benefit projects and encourage more diverse employment opportunities, without causing disruption or damage to the existing infrastructure on which many small communities and the island’s tourism and agriculture industries depend.
Award: £726,930
Co-finance: Argyll & Bute Council, Forestry Enterprise Scotland, North West Mull Community Woodland
