Traffic brought to standstill in Nairn as abnormal load breaks down – Press and Journal

By Jamie McKenzie

Traffic was brought to a standstill in Nairn yesterday after two specialist
lorries carrying massive wind turbine parts were forced to stop on a busy
north road.

A video posted online by police showed the West of Scotland Heavy Haulage
vehicles stationary in an eastbound lane of the A96 Inverness-Aberdeen
road, in an area in the east of the town.

The incident, which happened in the early afternoon, caused traffic to
build up several miles west of Nairn.

Police attended and a contraflow system was put in place using the opposite
carriageway and adjacent turning lane, which eased the delays as repairs
were carried out.

The cause of the breakdown was not clear last night.

Nairn Suburban and West Community Council chairman Richard Youngson said:
“It happened out on the east side of Nairn, but traffic was backing up all
the way through the town and it was just gridlock. They managed to get a
route in place to get traffic moving.

“It just reinforces the need for a bypass, as with that bit of the A96 it
is inevitable that you will get gridlock like that.

“In the summertime, when there is more light about, it might make more
sense to carry these loads later at night.

“We are always amazed that a lot of these wide loads get through. It’s
quite marvelous the way they steer through without clipping any signs or
traffic lights.”

The video, posted on Twitter by Northern police, also sparked some online
reaction.

One man, Andy Howard, wrote: “Is it not possible to transport these things
at night as not to inconvenience the vast majority of the road using public?”

Another, Sybil Baldwin, wrote: “That makes a lot of sense Andy, given that
the Highlands are a very popular tourist destination, and always very busy
at this time of year.”

Design work for the Inverness to Nairn stretch of the A96 dualling
programme, including the Nairn bypass, is already under way.

The public has been given a chanve to view the designs, with a preferred
option expected to be announced next year.

The A96 dualling project is scheduled for completion by 2030, with a total
of 86 miles due to be upgraded.