Key road upgrades and shorter rail journeys from Glasgow are on the agenda for Argyll and Bute councillors.
The A82 stretch from Tarbet to Inverarnan, the A85 trunk road from Oban to Tyndrum, and the single-track route between Dunoon and Colintraive, are all earmarked for potential upgrades by Argyll and Bute Council.
And the need for improvements to the “excessive journey time” of more than three hours between Oban and Glasgow Queen Street railway stations also features in a new report.
The document will be considered by the council’s Argyll Islands Strategic Group when it meets on Tuesday.
The report, by the authority’s executive director of development and infrastructure Pippa Milne, said: “Transport Scotland are undertaking a review of the National Transport Strategy and associated Strategic Transport Projects Review and this will include a wide programme of engagement across Scotland.
“As part of this process, Argyll and Bute Council will lobby Transport Scotland for increased investment in key local transport infrastructure and services.
“In support of this, this council has developed a list of key transport priorities for the region.
“Argyll and Bute Council will also lobby and pursue support from the Scottish Government for increased transport investment via a proposed Rural Growth Deal for the region.
“Officers from Argyll and Bute Council have been working with Transport Scotland and their consultants to compile a portfolio of evidence in support of additional funding being directed towards critical transport infrastructure and services.”
Ms Milne’s report also says that a draft of the National Transport Strategy is expected later in 2019.
On the potential upgrades, the document added: “The A82 is a key economic driver for the West Highlands. There is a need to upgrade the Loch Lomond section of road from Tarbet to Inverarnan.
“The A83 is the primary transport corridor into much of Argyll from the central belt. There is a need for a comprehensive programme of investment to improve road resilience, safety and journey times.”
It also says that the Oban to Tyndrum stretch of the A85 is a “relatively slow and busy road [which is] seen as a high priority for businesses and other stakeholders to improve with additional problems relating to congestion and lack of capacity to grow in Oban.”
Meanwhile, the aim for the B836, A8003 and B8000 roads between Dunoon, Strachur and Portavadie is described as: “To look at the feasibility of upgraded road to A road status incorporating physical upgrades to modern carriageway standards i.e. minimum 6m wide carriageway with improved alignment to make it a safer and more reliable route.”
The report also calls for the rail investment programme to be lobbied, and a more detailed study to be carried out, to streamline the rail journey time between Oban and Glasgow.
It also makes reference to a proposed new railway station beside Faslane navy base, highlighting a need to lobby ScotRail and the Scottish Government.
It is quite a few years now since Transport Scotland held a public meeting in Arrochar to explain their proposals for the A82 between Tarbert and Inverarnan. Only the very short piece at Pulpit Rock has actually be done. Is it possible that , with the landscape , TS are trying to do too much , when simple widening would make it much better?
Common sense