Message	Sender	lines	Subject
1	howard.neal@which.net	58	Corrieyairack Pass
2	howard.neal@which.net	16	Re: aggression
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From: howard.neal@which.net
Date: Sun, 04 Apr 1999 21:15:36 -0700
Subject: Corrieyairack Pass

I 'did' the Coirrieyairack Pass on Thursday and I think Rebecca could do
with a Scottish holiday!

I started at the Fort Augustus end and made my way back to Laggan where
I was staying.

The first quarter mile was a vehicle drivers nightmare (2x1should have
no problem).  It starts with an unopenable gate with a large rock
behind.  There are also notices stating that Wade's Road is now a
scheduled ancient monument and that damaging it is a criminal offence.
Another notice says 'pedestrians only'.  Behind the gate the track is
consists of loose rounded stones and after a few yards serious water
erosion is evident.  This has created deep trenches that would make
vehicular passage difficult to say the least.  Just past the water
damage the track is partially blocked by a stone wall that has fallen

fence has been erected to keep the livestock  in/out.  A sign mounted on
a substantial galvanised steel post has been concreted into the surface
of the road. The sign warns that the wall is unstable and that the road
is unsafe for vehicles. These signs do not look like the work of the
local authority.  On the back of one of the signs (I forget which)
someone has scrawled a warning that vehicle numbers will be taken to
enable prosecution for damaging an ancient monument.  A bit of hypocrisy
here, I think, as digging a hole in the road surface to set a steel post
in concrete might also be regarded as damage.  All this entertainment
can be found on the short stretch between NH374072 and 375068 (OS Sheet
34).  At 375068 the track was blocked by a JCB.   I first thought it was
another obstruction but it was actually being used to maintain the road
and repair the drainage ditch to one side.  The radio was on and the
engine was warm but I couldn't find the driver.  The work was to a good
standard.  A small sign (county) at Culachy Burn (369053) warns that
vehicular passage is not advised.  Spanning Allt Lagan a'Bhainne
(389008) there is a Bailey bridge.  The wooden deck has seen better days
and would be a fairly easy volunteer repair job.  A bit further on in
Coire Uchdachan (393004) a wooden bridge stands beside the original
stone Wade bridge.  The wooden bridge has been strengthened with timber
pillars.  The words 'H 4X4' carved in one.  There were no more
obstructions on the rest of the route apart from snow at the summit and
on the zig zags.

At the end of the unsealed road (Melgarve, 467959) there is another sign
warning that vehicular use of the pass is not advised.  There sign
warning that a voluntary restraint has been agreed with 4x4 users to
allow a study to be carried out on the condition of the two bridges
mentioned above.

I took 36 photos of the route including obstructions, signs and
bridges.  I also photographed a tractor tyre mark for Chris.

Regards,

Howard

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From: howard.neal@which.net
Date: Sun, 04 Apr 1999 21:15:52 -0700
Subject: Re: aggression

> I would never flinch from sending in a politely worded complaint but I have
> found that when that doesn't work a chat before tossing the toys out of the
> pram can be very effective.  Face to face, or on the phone, you will hear
> things that will never be put in a letter.

 Here, here.

Regards,

Howard

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