The main A83 trunk road could be closed for ‘considerable periods’ for construction of the £400m Rest and Be Thankful project, Transport Scotland has confirmed.
The preferred option which was revealed this week would include a debris flow shelter and follow the road’s current route through Glen Croe – to the surprise of a councillor who lives in nearby Arrochar.
Shonny Paterson knows the area well as a member of Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team and previously supported a new route on the other side of the glen.
He said today that three years ago engineers had dismissed following the existing road ‘out of hand’ as a solution to repeated landslides.
“The reason given then was the size of the rocks that could come down would damage a debris flow shelter, as these were designed more for avalanches in the Alps to prevent road closures, therefore would not be suitable for the Rest and Be Thankful,” he said.
“So I will be interested to hear what has changed.
“Despite that I think that it would be the best and quickest option, though it will cause a lot of disruption – but if that means getting a permanent solution to the problem that the Rest has been over the last decade then I welcome it.”
Cllr Paterson said he would raise the issue at the next meeting of the A83, which will be attended by transport minister Kevin Stewart.
An online exhibition discusses the pros and cons of five alterative routes through Glen Croe which were considered before the ‘brown option’ was chosen for the long term, with improvements to the single-track Old Military Road also planned in the ‘medium term’.
It states: “As the brown route is predominantly on the existing A83 road, there will be a requirement for temporary traffic management for road users during the full construction period, which will include traffic light operation and potentially considerable periods of full closures where traffic will be diverted to the Old Military Road
“Due to the location of the debris flow shelter, construction would be required in an area at risk of landslides, rockfall and debris flows.
“This could pose a risk of delay to the works being constructed, with increased costs and construction duration.”
A new catch pit and protection wall are also planned.
Argyll and Bute Council has asked for the work to be complete by 2026, but last month a Scottish Parliament committee heard that the completion date could be 2033.
Public exhibitions will be held in The Three Villages Hall, Arrochar, on Monday June 12 from 12 noon to 7pm and Tuesday June 13 from 10am to 5pm, as well as Lochgilphead Baptist Church Hall on Wednesday June 14 from 12 to 7pm and Thursday June 15 from 10am to 5pm.
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