Contract wrangling stalls trunk road safety project

NO DATE has been set for the start of major improvements to a treacherous stretch of an Argyll road.

Scottish Government officials confirmed this week that contract details for a project to improve the A83 at Strone Point, Inveraray, have still not been finalised – despite the fact work was originally due to be finished by May this year.

The £1.16 million contract was awarded to a Dublin-based firm in early January.

In March, Transport Scotland officials told a meeting of Mid Argyll business leaders negotiations were ongoing with the contractor over ‘contractual issues’. At that time the project was expected to begin towards the end of summer and take five months to complete. But when asked last week by the Advertiser about the prospects for the Strone Point scheme getting started within this timescale, a Transport Scotland spokesperson replied: ‘We are working with the contractor to agree an acceptable programme of work that minimises delays for people using the A83 and we expect their revised proposals in the coming weeks.’

When pressed on the detail of the discussions, the spokesperson said: ‘We are discussing the finer detail.’

The contract, awarded to John Paul Construction, involves excavation and blasting at Strone Point to allow the realignment and widening of 360 metres of carriageway. In a notice to local people and organisations last September, trunk road management firm Bear Scotland described the planned works as ‘long-awaited’.

At that point, the work was due to begin in November 2016 and take 24 weeks to complete. The continuing uncertainty has done little for local people or businesses.

Jane MacLeod, of Mid Argyll Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘Businesses are concerned at the delay. The only upside is it doesn’t look as if work will be carried out during the current tourist season.

‘It is to be hoped that, when work does start, Transport Scotland can ensure disruption to local business is kept to a minimum.’