No costings or timescale for Rest and Be Thankful options

I write as a retired civil engineer with regard to the Rest and be Thankful.

The problem seems to basically stem from a lack of proper maintenance over many, many years. Mountains in such locations need to be treated as living things and action taken sto ensure they are kept under control. In the case of the Rest, there appear to be particular problems:

That action is needed in different areas. In this context, I would suggest pressure grouting much higher up the mountain, down to bedrock, would solve a number of problems with the more minor landslides.

The road could be protected in many places by the use of gabions.

These would surely be a better solution than the fencing currently in use.

At the locations where small side streams can act as a conduit for debris to come and block the road, the provision of a box culvert under the road would ensure the debris could be diverted into the valley.

There may be a few locations where it could be more advantageous to install portal frame protection, but I believe these are relatively few. The provision of a suitable ‘ditch’ on the eastern side would also help.

I am horrified the authorities had the audacity to suggest the number of options that they did for public comment.

I think questions need to be asked as to who was responsible for this. Why were they presented with no cost indication and no potential building timescale? I would recommend properly qualified engineers who have a track record of overcoming these problems are appointed with a remit to prepare a properly costed report within six months.

I firmly believe the proposals I have outlined here are by far the most economical solution to the problem and, with proper control, the end result could probably be achieved by the autumn of 2022.

This depends on meaningful management of the problem. There are many major roads in the Alps where similar problems have been successfully overcome.

I am well aware I do not live in Argyll, but I have strong family links and it is incumbent on all interested parties to make comment to ensure the public is fully aware of the shortcomings exhibited in the proposals presented to date. Fergus Macdonald, Burton Latimer,

Northamptonshire.