At CFMS, we deliver complex rope access vegetation management projects with safety, efficiency, and environmental care. Our IRATA-certified teams specialise in removing vegetation and managing invasive non-native species (INNS) from difficult-to-reach structures and embankments. By combining technical rope access methods with ecological awareness, we provide clients with cost-effective alternatives to heavy plant or scaffolding, while ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and minimising disruption to the public and surrounding habitats.
Project Overview
CFMS was engaged by BEAR Scotland to deliver vegetation removal and a General Visual Inspection (GVI) on the A82 trunk road at Cnoc Fhearchair Layby South
The project focused on clearing a 93-metre section of dry-stone retaining wall situated on the loch side of the A82 between Inverness and Drumnadrochit. The wall, averaging 4–6m in height, supports one of Scotland’s busiest west coast arterial routes. Following clearance, a GVI was carried out to record the wall’s condition, identify defects, and provide recommendations for ongoing maintenance.
Vegetation removal included the management of invasive non-native species (INNS), particularly ivy, which can destabilise structures and accelerate stonework degradation. CFMS ensured that clearance was carried out in line with environmental guidance, supporting long-term wall stability and reducing the risk of regrowth.
- Work Scope
A three-person IRATA-certified rope access team carried out the removal of dense vegetation, ivy, and roots from the wall face using rope access and hand tools. - INNS control measures, including careful removal of invasive ivy where possible and recommendations for environmentally safe herbicide treatment of embedded roots to prevent regrowth.
- General Visual Inspection of the 93m cleaned wall was done using camera, zoom lenses, and video walkthroughs.
- Identification and recording of structural defects including missing stonework and areas weakened by vegetation.
- Provision of photographic and video evidence to support BEAR Scotland’s maintenance programme.
Added Value
- Full-Service Delivery: Combined vegetation removal, INNS management, and inspection in one mobilisation, reducing programme cost and time.
- Minimised Disruption: Works completed with no full road closures, ensuring minimal impact on trunk road users.
- Environmental Compliance: INNS management integrated into the works ensured compliance with best practice guidance, reducing the risk of ecological harm while safeguarding structural integrity.
- Sustainable Outcomes: Recommendations for phased INNS treatment provide BEAR Scotland with a long-term strategy for controlling regrowth and maintaining slope stability.
Summary
The A82 Cnoc Fhearchair vegetation removal and inspection works highlight CFMS’s expertise in delivering rope access vegetation management and INNS control in challenging roadside environments. By safely clearing, inspecting, and documenting the condition of a key trunk road retaining wall, CFMS provided BEAR Scotland with actionable intelligence to guide future maintenance, all while ensuring zero harm, minimal disruption, and full environmental compliance.
