We work with the timber local businesses to ensure that any timber being transported on our roads is in accordance with agreed principles and protocols.
Agreed routes map
View the Agreed Routes Map (PDF)
The Agreed Routes Map (ARM) is the primary working document for use by all interested parties to indicate the status of the majority of public roads and their capacity to sustain standard fully loaded haulage vehicles. The map is configured to indicate Agreed Routes as well as other routes designated in order of capacity as “Consultation Routes”, “Severely Restricted Routes” and “Excluded Routes” for the purposes of indicating the likelihood that any haulage operation will require mitigation to avoid damage to the network in excess of that considered sustainable. Any route not designated as an Agreed route should be considered as a Consultation Route. This excludes the trunk road network.
The ARM is a live document and will be amended on a regular basis as in-forest routes and changes in the condition of the public network dictate.
Argyll Timber Transport Group
The Argyll Timber Transport Group (ATTG) is a voluntary body supported by the timber industry, Scottish Forestry and Local Authority as a means of minimising problems arising from timber haulage on public roads. Agreements are made in a spirit of co-operation to sustain the network and maintain appropriate access for all road users.
Historic damage to the road network arising from severe winters has been mitigated by the work carried out by the ATTG, particularly through financial support that the group is able to access. The ATTG champions best practise and the use of technology such as central tyre inflation (CTI). Local hauliers making considerable investments to their fleet with a view to sustaining the local road network. The ATTG facilitated partnership working in a collaborative manner which has ensured mitigation measures are agreed. The road network has been significantly improved through the strategic roads programme, including strengthening and widening works, often with financial input from the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme.
Protocols and Guidance
Protocols have been established to set out the procedures for notifying the Local Authority of the intent to harvest timber and transport to market over public roads and agreeing sustainable levels of haulage and monitoring of conditions whilst operations are underway. Where necessary a Timber Transport Management Plan (TTMP) will be produced well in advance so that the owner, purchaser, harvester and haulier are all aware of the requirement to manage haulage movements in a network sustainable manner and the effect on the economics of the exercise.
The posted TTMPs are examples of those previously generated. Prior to any operation commencing these may need to reviewed or amended to suit the timber operation or changes to the condition of the road, for example.
- Guidance notes for Timber Industry Operations on or adjacent to public roads
- ATTG Protocol for Timber Haulage in Argyll and Bute
- Protocol for Timber Transport Operations (Appendix 1)
- Forestry access from public roads - design guidelines
Felling licences
You will need to apply for felling permission from Scottish Forestry before you can fell trees. . You can apply for a licence using this link to the Scottish Forestry Link Forestry Commission website.
Timber Transport Management Plans
Timber Transport Management Plans are voluntary arrangements to sustain timber haulage on vulnerable roads