MSP Jackie Baillie has called for clarity over the long-term plan for the A83 – as proposals for the preferred option were due to be announced in spring this year.
Transport Scotland has identified five possible route options in Glen Croe, potentially including a tunnel or debris shelter.
In October 2022 an £11.3m contract was awarded jointly to Atkins Ltd of Glasgow and WSP of Edinburgh for consultants to provide services supporting delivery of a new length of trunk road at the Rest.
The matter was discussed at the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee on Wednesday, as the original petition, brought forward by Argyll and Bute Cllrs Douglas Philand and Donald Kelly, to request a public inquiry into the Rest and Be Thankful project, was considered again.
Speaking during the meeting, the Dumbarton constituency MSP told how residents in the local area who use the route want clarity on when it is likely a long-term solution will be in place.
Ms Baillie said: “Spring 2023 has now passed and we aren’t any clearer on a long-term solution. I appreciate that there is a new minister in place but there needs to be consideration given to the communities who have put up with this for so long.
“The local community want the preferred route to be built by 2026 but the Scottish Government are now saying 2033.
“The people affected by the problems on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful deserve to understand what is going on. While investment in the Old Military road is welcome in the medium term, they are rightly concerned that this will be a sticking plaster solution and will delay a long-term outcome.
“Meanwhile costs on existing contingencies have increased substantially.
“They are asking for a public inquiry because they do not believe that value for public money is being achieved.”
Committee chair Jackson Carlaw said he was ‘perplexed at the definition of spring’, while MSP Fergus Ewing said supplementary information should also be suggested, highlighting that the medium -term solution of the Old Military Road was single-track and could itself be closed because of landslides.
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