Popular Glencoe tourist route hit with 'no stopping' order

Transport bosses have placed a ‘no stopping’ order on a popular tourist route through Glencoe in a bid to reduce tailbacks caused by snap happy motorists.

The order covers around 35 miles of the A82 between Tyndrum and North Ballachulish in a bid to ease congestion.

Drivers will now face a fine if caught pulling over outwith the designated areas.

Locals say it comes as a result of “irresponsible parking” on the busy road.

Transport Scotland said it has brought in the new rule as lockdown eases, with a surge of domestic staycation tourists expected to head north this summer.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “There is a high volume of traffic in this area every year and there have been instances where motorists have parked their vehicles on the A82 and subsequently caused tail backs and congestion.

“This Order prevents that and ensures all stopping is in the proper marked parking places, allowing free flow of traffic through Glencoe at all times.”

National Trust for Scotland, which owns Glencoe National Nature Reserve and has cared for the glen since the 1930s, welcomed the order.

A spokeswoman said: “Around two million vehicles travel through the Glens on the A82 each year and this places pressure on the environment and local people.

“We’re committed to making the community and landscape more resilient to rising visitor numbers and welcome the action taken by Transport Scotland as it is intended to ensure the safety of visitors, volunteers, staff and local residents alike.”

Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillor Niall McLean said the order was unfortunate but necessary given issues with parking on the road.

Mr McLean said: “This is the result of irresponsible parking on the road network.

“It’s unfortunate that this will likely affect people who do apply common sense when parking.

“We need clear rules that are easy to enforce so I support the order.

“I really don’t want to see measures such as this being necessary, but unfortunately they are.”

A survey carried out in Glencoe and Glen Etive after last summer found 70% of people said the area’s natural beauty was being negatively impacted by popularity.

Almost half of the 3000 respondents said they had felt unsafe or inconvenienced by the parking and driving they experienced.