This shows the position needed, an HGV has to watch out for unwary southbound car drivers.
I have often heard HGV drivers talking on CB approaching this area. The driver going downhill into the hairpin always stops for the northbound HGV. Reason is the northbound needs both sides of the road to get around as the photographs show.
Finishing the turn the driver can start to relax again whilst he/she pulls up the northern side
This shows the hairpin clear of traffic, I have often heard HGV drivers talking on CB approaching this area. The driver going downhill into the hairpin always stops for the northbound HGV. Reason is the northbound needs both sides of the road to get around as the photographs show. Looking into the bottom of Berriedale Braes, well, not really the bottom but as low as the A9 goes, thats enough.......
A9 taken from near to the hairpin looking south.
Looking into the bottom of Berriedale Braes, well, not really the bottom but as low as the A9 goes, thats enough.......
HGV approaching Berriedale Braes bottom heading north.
Timber heading up the southbound slope nearing the top. Its interesting that her we have one HGV taking timber out of the far north and one is bring timber back to the county.
James Jones Trucking and International Timber are shown in transit.
Much of the road from Helmsdale (which was the old border of Caithness), until about 10 miles from Thurso is hilly and winding. Berriedale Braes is the worst and required investments in caution. Whilst investments were made for all the road warning signs there, we all know how often signs can cry wolf, granted not this sort, but, there are variations on the theme. This should be classed as requiring full compliance of the investments made in safety measures.
I think I am correct in saying that a year does not pass when an HGV LGV does not have a serious accident, brakes failure, and even running out of the emergency warning signs sand pit run off road near the bottom.
Of course occasions will occur when a car driver heading south will come down the hill without caution and meet an HGV trying to round the hairpin,, then for some strange reason this car driver will engage low brain and stop the HGV rounding the bend when he can be clearly seen in middle negotiation with 44 tons and bottom gear. When stopped on such a steep hill engaging drive again can be risky for a clutch in an HGV, and on occasion some have not made it and had to reverse down the hill and call out HGV breakdown vehicles, even roadside repairs before the HGV could move again.
If you ever take that first trip to the far north, please take that extra care, remember someone loves you.
