Uist causeway remain in dangerous state

Heavy rain, storm force winds and coastal flood warnings issued through January brought renewed calls to make safe the low-lying causeways connecting two of Uist’s townships – in Baleshare, North Uist and in Snishival, South Uist.

In North Uist, a community pressure group is highlighting the risk to life presented by the Baleshare Causeway and pleading with Council officials to commit to upgrade works as soon as possible.

The 350 metre Baleshare causeway was built in 1962 but campaigners say the project was never completed. Crucially, they say, the culvert that was planned for the structure was never installed at the time, which has slowed the dispersal of flood water.

No repairs to the structure have been carried out since 2000, and the damage wreaked by the great storm of 2005 was never repaired.

Lynda Maclean of the Baleshare Causeway Campaign group told Am Pàipear: 

“The worry is that when the tide is high or when we experience the kind of weather we have seen in recent weeks, no one can get on or off Baleshare, at least not without danger to life.

“In bad weather,  those determined enough to risk the crossing face a very real chance of being washed away, a risk made greater still by the poor state of the surface of the road, with water covering the perilous holes and cracks that cover the length of the causeway. 

“There is the risk of someone being swept away whilst crossing, but we also need to factor in the indirect risk of someone needing urgent care facing delays when emergency services are unable to get across.

“In January, we had to rely on the Coastguard to get carers on and off; are we really saying this is a reasonable way for Baleshare residents to access services?”

“Do we need to wait for a major incident before those in power will act?”

“We need to push and keep pressure on those in the correct places to ensure the causeway gets major works, or best case scenario, a full replacement.” 

Hopes have been raised that Baleshare Causeway will benefit from the award of £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, announced in November last year, however Cllr Uisdean Robertson advised caution: 

“While it is positive news that the Comhairle is to benefit to the tune of £20m, we should be aware that the allocation is likely to come with a host of restrictions. We already know, for example, that it cannot be spent on existing projects. We are pressing the Scotland Office for more information but until we get this detail, we cannot say with any authenticity how the money will be spent.”

“Perhaps Scottish Government could fund a similar resilience fund such as the Local Bridge Maintenance Fund which would target causeways serving vulnerable communities.”

Dr Alasdair Allan MSP and Angus MacNeil MP were both vocal in their support of the Baleshare cause when Am Pàipear covered the issue almost a year ago; 11 months further on and with no progress to report, both politicians have again highlighted the urgency of making the structure safe.

In South Uist, the perilous state of the causeway at Snishival is also causing concern. Am Pàipear last covered the plight of residents faced with attempting to cross the broken and partially submerged road back in December 2022 and residents say there have been no improvements since.

In March last year, the findings of a Stòras Uibhist commissioned Inspections and Options report were shared with the Community Council.

The survey looked in detail at the existing structure and concluded it was ‘serviceable and in fair condition for current light traffic only. However, it is set too low when compared to high water levels in Loch Roag and cannot always provide a safe access to the houses on the east side of the loch.’ 

The survey report found that the central bridge was in poor condition, adding ‘it is doubtful if it is suitable for heavy traffic; particularly fire appliances.’

The surveyors proposed improvement works at an estimated cost of £274k, which would make safe the causeway and realign the central section slightly to the south.

A spokesperson for Bornish Community Council told us:

“The engineers report has formalised what we already knew; the causeway is unsafe and needs urgent attention. While it is good to have the details set down with such authority, we are now faced with the reality of progressing what will be a very costly  solution.”

Stòras Uibhist CEO Darren Taylor said he was supportive of the Snishival residents but said the community owned estate did not have the available funds to pay for the work:

“We remain committed to finding a solution for Snishival but the projected cost based on the report we commissioned is beyond the scope of the organisation at the moment. We are looking into the possibility of securing grant funding or alternative solutions. 

“We will be happy to meet again with the Bornish Community Council to review all options.”