Views sought on temporary A832 road closure as part of Western Isles HVDC Link project

Image shows a map of the co-ordinated road closures A832 temporary closure - works location and diversion mapImage: A map showing the stretch of the A832 affected by the proposed temporary closure.

  • SSEN Transmission asks people to submit views as it plans temporary closure of 4.7 mile stretch of the A832 near Dundonnell ahead of underground cable installation

  • Follows major revisions to previously proposed cable route, which has reduced the impact on the road network by approximately 50km

  • Closure to be delivered in separate phases with daily access periods

  • Will result in significant improvement to local road infrastructure through culvert upgrades and road resurfacing

SSEN Transmission is inviting people to submit views on the proposed temporary closure of a 4.7 mile stretch of the A832 near Dundonnell, ahead of the installation of the underground cable section of the Western Isles HVDC Link.

It would take place in two separate phases during the winter season, from Monday 27 October to Friday 19 December when work will be suspended, and from Monday 5 January through to Spring 2026 when work will conclude in time for the busier tourist season.

The planned closure follows a detailed project development process that has included major revisions to the previously proposed cable route, which have reduced the length of road likely to be affected by the cable works by approximately 50km. By taking the majority of works off the public road network, impacts on the local community and road users will be greatly reduced.

The closure will include periods of access in both directions throughout the days when work is underway. A diversion will also be in place on the A832, heading west via Gairloch and on to Kinlochewe towards Garve.

The measures are necessary to ensure the safety of road users and the workforce, led by Highland-based contractor RJ McLeod, who will be upgrading or replacing 37 culverts along the route in preparation for cable installation next year.

In addition to work to replace culverts, SSEN Transmission will resurface the majority of the affected area of road and install new barriers once the cable is installed, resulting in a significant long-term improvement to the local road infrastructure.

The temporary closure will be delivered through a temporary traffic regulation order, with contractors adopting a fortnightly working pattern of ten days on, four days off.

While timings have yet to be finalised, SSEN Transmission is proposing that the road will close from 7am to 9pm during the ten-day working period. It will re-open overnight and remain open during the four-day rest period under a single-lane closure, with traffic lights in operation.

During the ten-day working period temporary access will be granted during the following busier times: 

  • 08:00 - 08.45 
  • 12:30 - 13:30 
  • 16:30 - 17:30  

Emergency access, including for the local Mountain Rescue Team, will be continually maintained as well as access for timetabled school transport and local bus services.

SSEN Transmission will provide a further update to confirm closure periods and times when the programme of works is finalised. In the meantime, the company is asking the public to submit feedback on the proposed closure times and access periods, as it seeks to build a fuller picture of the needs of communities, organisations, and others who use the route. Feedback can be submitted via LT14mainlandcable@sse.com.

Chris Sugars, Lead Project Manager for SSEN Transmission, said: “The Western Isles HVDC Link follows a decades-long campaign for a subsea connection from Lewis to the mainland, to unlock the vast renewable energy potential of the Western Isles and deliver jobs and economic growth. The project will also play a key role in helping deliver the country’s clean power and energy security targets.

“As a key element of the project, the proposed underground cable section from Dundonnell to Beauly has followed a detailed development process, where every effort has been made to mitigate the impact on local roads, including redirecting the original planned route that reduced the road excavation by 50km.

“However the closure of this section of the A832 is unavoidable, and we are seeking the views of those who use the route as we aim to strike a balance between the need to deliver this work safely, and the needs of local road users.

“We are already in touch with key local stakeholders, but we want to capture feedback from others who may be affected. With that in mind, we’d encourage who regularly uses the route and wishes to submit feedback to contact us at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com.

“While we appreciate the temporary closure will cause disruption, we want to reassure local communities that we are doing our utmost to alleviate impacts, including carrying out work over the quieter winter months. We also have a commitment to upgrade the road as we aim to leave a positive legacy as a result of this vital work.”