Bridges plan for road prone to landslides

Options for a new route to replace a landslip-prone section of the A83 include building up to three bridges or tunnels.

Transport Scotland published details of the 11 “corridor options” yesterday as the Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll reopened under traffic light control after being blocked by two major landslides within six weeks.

Building new fixed link crossings at Loch Long, Gare Loch and the Firth of Clyde are among the options, which also include building a new road in the glen behind the current route.

Others include new crossings from near West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, to Bute via Little Cumbrae, and further crossings either over the Firth of Clyde from Rothesay to Toward, or from Rhubodach to Colintraive.

The public are being asked to give their views on the various routes.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “From today we are launching a new website for the design work and the 11 corridor options under consideration can be viewed there. Please visit the site and give us your input by October 30.”

The preferred route corridor is expected to be chosen by spring 2021.