‘New warnings needed’ for HGVs to avoid lochside A814 road

New signs warning heavy vehicles not to use the winding A814 beside Loch Long have been called for.

A road is narrow and frequently blocked by lorries or coaches, especially when used as an unofficial diversion because the A82 trunk  road on Loch Lomondside is closed – both roads then become completely gridlocked, with queues of traffic several miles long.

Argyll and Bute Council installed warning signs on the approaches to the Whistlefield roundabout five years ago, but these are sometimes ignored, especially by tour company coaches.

Last week Ian Brodie, chair of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area community planning group, told its meeting that ‘more, larger signage was required at the junctions of the A814 and A83 and at the junction of the A817 and A814 to advise that the road was not suitable for HGVs.”

Neil MacFarlane, local network manager for Transport Scotland, agreed to liaise with relevant council officials.

The A814 between Arrochar and Whistlefield is notoriously undulating and narrow, meaning two cars can have difficulty passing in some places.

In 2017 tour company Lochs and Glens insisted its coaches were entitled to use a that road – despite causing delays for drivers.

A spokesperson said: “The A814 is marked as unsuitable for HGVs as per the signage along the road.

“As coaches are not classed as an HGV vehicle, they are suitable for use by our drivers.”

But Argyll and Bute Council disagreed with this interpretation.

“There are signs on the A814 at Loch Long stating that the road is unsuitable for HGVs,” said a spokesperson.

“These are advisory rather than mandatory notices.

“This stretch of the road is not suitable for any large heavy, vehicle, including coaches, and we would advise drivers of HGVs and coaches to avoid it.”