‘Permanent solution’ promise
Government in road pledge
The Scottish Government has committed to finding a ‘permanent solution’ for the Rest and be Thankful.
Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, made the announcement at the A83 Taskforce group on Thursday August 27.
The move was welcomed by those attending the meeting as a step in the right direction.
Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: ‘Our communities along with the council have lobbied Scottish Government for more than a decade asking them to find a permanent solution to the ongoing issues that affect our major trunk road.
‘Whilst we are relieved there is now a recognised case for investment and a commitment to move away from temporary mitigation measures, we still need construction timescales and a date for the new route to open. It is simply not enough to talk about the options and agree a consultation phase.
‘For years, closure of the A83 has seriously impacted our communities. The early signs are encouraging but we must see swift progress maintained until the new route is fully operational.’
Speaking after the taskforce meeting, Mr Matheson said: ‘I understand the frustration and disruption landslips at the A83 Rest and be Thankful bring for local communities and drivers.
‘I have instructed officials at Transport Scotland to accelerate our work to consider alternative infrastructure options for the A83. A dedicated team will be established to do a more detailed assessment, in parallel with the Strategic Transport Projects Review. Stakeholders will be involved in this process and we will publish recommendations for a preferred corridor in spring 2021. In the meantime, work will continue on the next catch pit and we will continue to consider further catch pits at the site. A new geotechnical survey of the hillside will also be carried out to build on the previous work.’
Work will begin on the next phase of catch pits in September.
Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell commented: ‘The latest closure has confirmed that nothing less than a new permanent route will do and the agreement by the Scottish Government to accelerate work on that, in keeping with the request made by the Argyll and Bute Council leader, myself and two other MSPs weeks ago meets the timetable we set to get things moving.’