Today we have recieved an update from Kevin Morrison at SSE today 29th July 2026, who writes - 

"LT14 mainland cable project update: Black Bridge compound works (East of Glascarnoch Dam)

As part of the Western Isles HVDC Link project, we would like to provide advance notice of construction activities that are currently expected to begin at the Black Bridge compound location, commencing 5th August 2026. These works will involve the construction of a temporary compound and working area required to support future phases of the mainland cable route.

The Black Bridge compound will be located just off the A835, in the area between the Glascarnoch Dam and Inchbae Lodge (What3Words: elevate.panther.plugs). The site is close to the planned cable route and will be used as a temporary working area to support construction activity in this location.

Why are these works needed?

The Black Bridge compound will provide a safe and suitable working area for construction teams, equipment and materials associated with the delivery of the mainland cable route. The works will support a future Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) operation, a construction technique that allows the cable to be installed beneath existing infrastructure and watercourses while reducing the environmental impacts associated with traditional open-cut excavation methods.

What will the works involve?

Construction activities will include the creation of a temporary hardstanding area, access arrangements, drainage features and environmental protection measures within the designated construction area. These activities are necessary to prepare the site for future construction phases and to ensure work can be carried out safely and efficiently.

Works to construct the compound are currently expected to continue for approximately six to eight weeks and will generally take place during the following hours:

Monday to Friday, 7.00am to 7.00pm
Saturday, 8.00am to 4.00pm
 

What can the community expect?

During the works, local residents and road users may notice increased construction activity within the compound area, including deliveries of materials, plant and equipment movements, and excavation works associated with the construction of the compound.

Some construction-related noise can be expected during normal working hours. The project team will work to minimise disruption wherever possible, and all activities will be carried out within the designated construction area.

Traffic management and access

To facilitate the safe entry and exit of construction vehicles, three-way traffic control will be in place at the Black Bridge road junction, operating using temporary traffic lights and controlled manually at all times. This will only be in operation when needed for safe entry/exit of construction vehicles and will not be operational during nighttime hours (7pm to 7am).

Initial TM Dates: Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th August, and Monday 10th to Tuesday 11th Aug (5 days). TM will be removed over the weekend (Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th August).
Any further TM (should it be required) will be communicated with the public in advance of being put in place.
 

While some short delays may occur, these are expected to be minimal, and traffic will continue to be managed safely through the area.

The intention is to undertake these works without restricting access for local residents, businesses, landowners or emergency services. Access will continue to be maintained throughout the programme wherever possible.

We appreciate the community's patience and understanding while these works are carried out and will continue to provide updates as the programme progresses.

For any questions regarding these works, please contact the project team at lt14mainlandcable@sse.com

 

Regards

Kevin Morrison "

We have shared the email verbatim as recieved.


For transparency the community should know that we believe that no planning permission has been required for this compound;- which from the map provided looks to be about 300M x 100M
We belienve this work is viewed as permissible under permitted development.
We have already been asked if this compound will be returned to the pre-compound state after the duration mentioned above.
We have also been made aware of concerns about any dirty run off from the compound site going into the Black Water {RIVER}
We have emailed Kevin Morrison at SSE to raise these concerns and will update here when we have a reply.


Update reply recieved from Kevin at SSE, via email today 31st July 2026 3.44pm - verbatim as recieved

Thank you for your email.

Yes, the compound and future Horizontal Direct Drilling (HDD) works are being undertaken under permitted development rights.

The total temporary working area within the deer fence is approximately 19,900m². This includes the hard standing area to the east of the access track (approximately 120m x 55m) and the HDD reception area to the west of the access track (to be completed at a later date & will be communicated with communities accordingly), together with the access track and temporary earthworks bund storage areas.

All compounds and access arrangements are temporary and will be reinstated following completion of the works. However, just to be clear the duration of 6-8 weeks refers to the construction of the compound and not duration of use. The current programme indicates the compound will be in place from October 2026 until approximately December 2031, after which the site will be restored to its pre-construction condition.

We will install a series of settlement lagoons, dirty water ditches, and silt fencing to manage run off. All the dirty water will be directed into these settlement lagoons for treatment via a dirty water ditch with periodic stone baffles to slow down and filter sediment. A clean water cut off ditch will be installed to direct clean water around the platform and prevent it from mixing with dirty water. Silt mitigation measures will be continuously under review and modified if required.

Thanks again for reaching out to us.

Kind regards, Kevin



A further update recieved 10th August and pasted verbatim below

"Please see the below update regarding a short extension to the traffic management measures being utilised as part of the Black Bridge compound works (East of Glascarnoch Dam):

Black Bridge Compound Works (East of Glascarnoch Dam)

10th August 2026

As part of the ongoing construction of the temporary Black Bridge compound to support the Western Isles HVDC Link project, we would like to provide an update regarding the traffic management arrangements currently in place at the Black Bridge junction on the A835.

 

Extension to Traffic Management Period

Construction of the compound is progressing well; however, due to delays within the supply chain, additional time is required to safely move construction vehicles and materials into the site.

As a result, the previously communicated traffic management period will need to be extended.

Three-way traffic control using temporary traffic lights and manual traffic management at the Black Bridge junction will now also be in place on:

 

Wednesday 12 August to Friday 14 August
Monday 17 August to Wednesday 19 August
 

These arrangements are in addition to the previously communicated dates (Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th August, and Monday 10th to Tuesday 11th Aug) and will continue to operate only when required to facilitate the safe movement of construction vehicles entering and exiting the compound.

Traffic Management Arrangements

There is no change to the operating hours of the traffic management. Measures will continue to:

Operate only during construction working hours.
Be manually controlled at all times.
Be implemented only when required for the safe movement of construction traffic.
Be removed during periods when there is no need for vehicle movements.
Not operate overnight.
 

While some short delays may occur, every effort will be made to keep these to a minimum and maintain the safe flow of traffic through the area.

Maintaining Access

Maintaining access for local residents, businesses, landowners, visitors and emergency services remains a priority throughout the works. The project team and contractor will continue to coordinate deliveries carefully and use traffic management only where necessary to ensure safety at the junction.

We understand that additional traffic management can be inconvenient and appreciate the patience and understanding shown by the community while these works are completed. These additional arrangements will help ensure the compound can be safely established and continue to support future phases of the mainland cable works.

For any questions regarding these works, please contact the project team at lt14mainlandcable@sse.com. "