Rest and Be Thankful reopens

The A83 has reopened this afternoon, after being completely closed for more than four days following landslides caused by torrential rain.

The trunk road between Tarbet and Inveraray re-opened to all traffic from 3pm after a major clear-up of landslide material from the route at Glen Kinglas, and to a lesser extent at the Rest and be Thankful where a small landslip also occurred.

Teams from contractors BEAR Scotland have removed over 12,000 tonnes of debris and h cleared roadside verges and drainage systems to allow the trunk road to re-open to traffic.

Heavy and persistent rainfall on Friday evening and Saturday saw a month’s worth of rainfall, around 160mm, fall over 36 hours in the area.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative, said, “Our teams have worked tirelessly in challenging conditions to reopen the A83 to all traffic.

“We are very grateful to our colleagues and partners, as well as local residents for all your support and patience during this challenging time.”

Seven landslides reached the road, with the A83/A815 junction to the west end of Glen Kinglas badly affected.  The landslides experienced are as follows:

• One small landslide at the Rest and be Thankful. Debris reached the road and was cleared.
• Two further landslides at the Rest and be Thankful. Debris was captured in the debris net and debris pit.
• Four landslides at Glen Kinglas. Debris reached the road and has been cleared.
• Two small landslides at Glen Kinglas which were captured in the debris bund.
• Two very substantial landslides on the A83 at the A815 Dunoon junction. The debris which reached the road has been cleared.

BEAR Scotland teams will remain on site to monitor the areas affected by the landslides in the coming days, and will be supported by geotechnical engineers who will continue to inspect the affected sections of hillside in proximity to the A815 junction and within Glen Kinglas.

Regular inspections of the hillside at the Rest and be Thankful will also continue.

The A815 to Dunoon also reopened at 3pm but Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed that the B828 to Lochgoilhead will remain closed presently due to flood damage to the road.