Glen Croe replacement for Rest and Be Thankful is favourite for politicians

A new road through Glen Croe has been backed as the best replacement for the Rest and Be Thankful by local politicians.

With the A83 trunk road repeatedly closed during heavy rain this year, Transport Scotland has launched a consultation into 11 possible route corridors to replace the iconic road which has become plagued by landslides.

Several of the options are hugely ambitious and would require new fixed links to be built across sea lochs or even the Firth of Clyde – they are all rated here.

But option one, which climbs up the same glen as the current route, was backed by Argyll and Bute Council last week.

We contacted all MSPs in the West Scotland region and all nine Helensburgh and Lomond councillors last week, asking whether they support one or more of the 11 routes, if they felt any were unsuitable and whether any other options not specifically included in the consultation should be considered.

And with the trunk road regularly closed overnight as a precaution in recent days, almost all those who responded backed option one – here are their reasons:

Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie:

“The recent closures of both the A83 and the Old Military Road due to heavy rain, emphasise just how vital it is that we find the right permanent solution to the continued problems on the A83. Local people and businesses cannot continue to put up with closures like this much longer.

“After reviewing the 11 options for a replacement, I don’t think options 10 and 11 are suitable, my preference is for a solution which is quick and easy to deliver, with the fewest complications that already commands considerable support. For me options 1, 2 and 3 potentially fit that criteria, and I would like Transport Scotland to explore these, but option 1 looks like the frontrunner to me.

“Whatever options make the final shortlist this exercise has helped to focus minds and I don’t think there is any other option which could have been included in the consultation. I have however been clear that once agreement is reached, work needs to start without delay.”

West Scotland region MSP Maurice Corry:

“The need for a permanent solution to the Rest and Be Thankful has never been greater.

“Alongside other local MSPs and council colleagues, I am committed to backing option one, namely the Glen Croe option which will ensure we can construct a fit and proper route as quickly as possible.

“This option will also deliver economic, connectivity and tourism benefits across all the communities, which will be so vital in ensuring our economic recovery in the coming months and years.

“Having been part of discussions with the Scottish Governments Transport Secretary, I understand he is also favourable to the Glen Croe option.

“If this does become the favoured option locally, then I hope it can be constructed as soon as possible.”

Mr Corry’s comments also represent the views of fellow Conservatives regional MSPs Jamie Greene and Maurice Golden:

West Scotland region MSP Ken Macintosh:

“As well as being one of your MSPs here in the West of Scotland region I also serve as the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer. It is, unfortunately, a position which obliges me to remain impartial, or at least refrain from publicly expressing my own views, on matters that are subject to debate in the Parliament.

“What I would say is that I certainly appreciate not only the inconvenience but the difficulty the repeated closures cause for residents and businesses who rely on this route, and would encourage all those who use this route to contribute to the consultation before it closes on Friday October 30.”

Cllr Lorna Douglas:

“I can see that Option 1 would be preferable  locally but, I still have doubts about the robustness and permanency of this option.  I say this without any technical knowledge or detail at this stage so it can only be my reasoned layperson’s opinion.

“This option may be important economically for Arrochar at the moment but if it is not robust, offering a permanent solution then it will not offer the economic stability that Arrochar and the surrounding area might wish to see.

“We also need to think about where the West of Scotland might be in 10-20 years from now and ask whether option 1 will fit with potential growth or reshaping of the economy.

“I think that in hindsight of the council’s decision to back option 1, option 2 might actually be the more robust and permanent option north of the river, and for Arrochar.

“If this stretch of the A82 could be improved with a cut off at Inverarnan, going through Glen Kinglas to the A83, it could be a more sustainable solution for two road problems.

“What is key here is that Arrochar is not forgotten.  People have been drawn to the Arrochar Alps for decades but the area needs investment to establish itself as an outdoor destination of choice to develop and nurture its true potential, and not just rely on passing trade which is not sustainable in its current form.

“If two options were possible, then option 5 would also be good opening up a completely new route. But this could only be in addition to either option 1 or 2.

“It would be interesting to know if there would be any restrictions imposed by the MoD on some of the options, or alternative solutions not on the options i.e. a tunnel. So far any possible MoD issue has not really come to the fore.

“I look forward to hear what the outcome of the consultation brings but, I think in this case, a quick fix wouldn’t necessarily be the best permanent fix and it’s the permanency and robustness of the solution that is crucial here.”

Cllr George Freeman:

“I can confirm that having consulted many of my constituents in the Arrochar and Tarbet area and also Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Community Council, I will be supporting option 1.

“As the other options would take traffic away from the Arrochar and Tarbet area and would have a negative impact on the local economy in that area, then I cannot support these options.

“I will be submitting my own comments directly to Transport Scotland / the Scottish Government outwith the response that will be submitted by the council following the decision that the council supports Option 1. 

 “I believe that Option 1 could be delivered well ahead of any of the other options in the consultation document.  I believe that most of the other options would require very lengthy negotiations with land owners Transport Scotland / the Scottish Government having to go through lengthy compulsory purchase processes.”

Cllr Shonny Paterson:

“I support option 1 as the preferred route that will continue to support the economy of Arrochar, Tarbet , Lochgoilhead ,Cairndow etc. It is the option that can be done quicker than any of the other options listed.

“Having lived in this area most of my life I have never known the east side of Ben Donnich to have had any major landslips, and the forestry road that I presume the new road will follow has never been blocked in recent times while the Rest and Be Thankful has been closed.

“I have used it fairly regularly over the last few months in the course of carrying out my business, and there has never been a problem despite the severe weather that there has been.

“I am grateful to Forestry and Land Scotland in granting me this permission to use it during this time.

“I also thought that option 5 could be developed as well, at a later date when option 1 has been completed, I think that this would provide economic benefits to the peninsula of Rosneath, Kilcreggan and Cove , through tourism and transport.

“I think Scotland is going to benefit enormously in the next few years in terms of tourism due to the nature of the Covid 19 crisis , with many people reluctant to travel abroad , and if we have the infrastructure in place that will encourage people to visit our lovely part of Scotland.”

Cllr Richard Trail:

“I support Route 1. Most of the other routes are unsuitable on the grounds of cost and speed of implementation.
There are no other options which should be considered.”