Latest plans for the £470m upgrade of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful are going on display for the public.
Last year it was announced that a debris shelter on the trunk road’s current route through Glen Croe was Transport Scotland’s preferred option.
Councillors raised concerns that the single-track Old Military Road (OMR) diversion route would be used during construction, but work to upgrade this is already under way.
Transport Scotland announced last October that work on the debris shelter option would go ahead ‘at pace’ although the results of its consultation had not yet been released.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government is steadfast in its commitment to delivering a long-term solution to the landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.
“The announcement last June of the preferred route option for the long-term solution was a significant confirmation of our commitment to improve the route.
“The design work for this is being progressed at pace with a view to publishing draft Orders by the end of this year.
“At the same time, we are progressing our plans to increase the resilience of the temporary diversion route along the OMR until the long-term solution to the challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful is in place.
“The first phase of the work to realign the southern end of the OMR route, reducing the risk of flooding, is well underway and expected to be complete this spring.”
She added that design work for both the long-term solution and future phases of medium-term improvements was being taken forward.
Read more: A83 debris sheer ‘the worst of all outcomes’
Four public engagement events are being held next month for local people to comment on the plans and a virtual exhibition will also go live on March 18.
“All of this underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to work with key stakeholders and local communities to ensure that Argyll and Bute remains open for business,” said Ms Hyslop.
The events will be:
- Monday March 18, 10am to 4pm – South Kintyre Development Trust Hall, 32 Kirk Street, Campbeltown, PA28 6BL
- Tuesday March 19, 12noon to 7pm – Lochgilphead Baptist Church, Union Street, Lochgilphead, PA31 8LP
- Wednesday March 20, 10am to 4pm – Lochgoilhead Village Hall, 8 Hall Road, Lochgoilhead, PA24 8AQ
- Thursday March 21, 10am to 4pm – Three Villages Hall, Shore Road, Arrochar, G83 7AB
More information is on the online story map.
Hope the roof is going to be at a slant? Otherwise the rocks ect. will gather on the roof and create more problems.
We have to have a safe solution with the lowest disruptions as possible.
Is the mountainside save enough to put such a construction as planned on it ?
Is the OMR safe enough to be used during constructions?
The only option for a safer, less expensive and a less disruptive approach,is a construction of a tunnel.
It would be wise , to consult a Swiss company for this project, as they are the most experienced on this.
I am sure there will be money left, with this approach to upgrade the rest of the Loch Lomond Road is well.
The tunnelling machine could be handy for this job too.
Why no public engagement event for Inveraray? We would like to see the plans and the virtual exhibition too. Who do we ask about this?
As many of the regular users of the road are not just local but individuals and businesses to the north, the availability of the plans in at least Oban should be included.