New traffic monitoring equipment is to be installed on one of the Highlands’ most notorious stretches.
It follows discussions held by locals from Applecross Community Council concerning the popularity of the Bealach na Bà on the NC500.
It’s hoped the new data will show how popular the route is and prompt fresh investment.
A spokeswoman for Highland Council said: “Following a request from the local community the telemetry strips will be in place over the next week or so.
“Information gathered will be collated and passed on to the local roads manager.”
Related: Calls for ‘visitor vehicle levy’ on NC500
Local shop owner and Applecross community councillor Al Brown said: “Part of the issue is that not enough money is being spent on the road.
“The biggest problem is that people don’t know how a passing place works, but the road itself is in bits.”
The Bealach na Bà has the greatest climb of any UK road, rising from sea level at Applecross to 2,054ft.
Advisory road signs suggest motorhomes and caravans should avoid using the route.
However, these cannot be enforced by either the council or the police because it is an unclassified road.
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4 comments
I drove the Bealach na Bà in June this year in my VW campervan – twice actually. I went in June to avoid the crowds. The pass is stunning but it wasn’t a difficult drive. The traffic was light and everyone was sensible and polite – I couldn’t see any reason why a small motorhome shouldn’t manage the route by probably not suited to a caravan. I live in Cornwall and I really don’t have much time for locals moaning about visitors – they bring in money and they have as much right to be there as anyone else.
Thank you for your honesty about visitors to Cornwall, I drive a 7.5 meter motorhome and have never felt welcome there. As to the pass heading to Applecross, I’ve never attempted it in the motorhome, but taken the longer, coastal route to get there, although I noted that an oil delivery truck took the pass without any problems and it was much bigger than I am, but expect they are well used to driving it by now.
Great idea and I’m all in favour. Would have been far more effective if it was completed in the summer months, when traffic is at a premium, then the real number of vehicles would be registered and the results help improve this wonderful place.
I’m not here to be all soft so lets get on with it.
This country is so backward, a country where you not allowed to live, shock horror! run for the hills someone is parked in a van, get the pitchforks out. The Uk is a laughing stock. Its a country where the countryside is a rich man’s playground, rich farmers and shooting so on.
When it comes to this silly road, I see locals stating well i’ve been driving or biking there for years, hardly see anyone now all these fucking van about moaning is just because the twat wants the place to himself. Its a classic UK culture thing, stands out a mile, you have to look out for the signs. read between the lines people? get to know the local hicks https://www.facebook.com/groups/595039354532848 here a group full of hate the nc 500 the dirty bastard group
Would i take my motorhome up there, no, front wheel drive, very low grip levels with 198 BHP, it spins up blue bank in the north york moors at 25% and with tight hairpin corners has 0 grip and have to zigzag to find some grip. so would not put it through an ordeal so instead would park up somewhere and hike it.
Scotland isn’t the wonderland everything thinks it is. forserty has destroyed most, all i see is fences. campsites everywhere and a tourist ruined place and i don’t mean visitors. places built to attract people. Not found a pace untouched by humans yet and don’t think I ever will in the UK.
I don’t need to do the nc 500 amway, i’m not on holiday, I don’t need the badge of honor lol, I mean that’s why you all do it right lol. i do live in my motorhome and have no home to sneak off to after doing youtube videos like so many do. I’m not doing it to keep up to the jones, well in fact is the jones will never keep up to me lol.
LMFAO traffic monitoring, a waste of money as they state, they can’t enforce laws! Thought they may change the laws and have police waiting at each end, nick motorhomes going up or down arrest them stating you are under arrest for driving up the weeeee hill. repeat offenders going to prison, can see it now, what are you in for brov, murder, you, car theft, you, driving up a hill so watch it i’m hard pahahaha