Event to give public a chance to share views on Rest and Be Thankful plan

PEOPLE in Helensburgh and Lomond are being invited to have their say on long-term proposals to solve decades of landslides near the Rest and Be Thankful.

The Three Villages Hall in Arrochar will host a drop-in event next week giving members of the public the chance to examine Transport Scotland’s proposals for a concrete debris shelter on the A83 in Glen Croe.

There will also be the opportunity to find out more about progress on the mid-term solution.

The Arrochar event will take place on Thursday, March 21 from 10am until 4pm.

Transport Scotland staff and their technical advisors, Atkins WSP Joint Venture (AWJV), will be available to discuss the updates on the proposed scheme and answer any questions.

Similar engagement events will be held in Lochgoilhead, Lochgilphead and Campbeltown.

The concrete debris shelter has been subject of criticism from local groups, such as the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs for being unsightly and obstructing the view of the landscape.

The group had campaigned for there to be a viaduct, or a viaduct and short tunnel.

Read more: Loch Lomond charity urge Transport Scotland to rethink A83 shelter

Chair John Urquhart said: “Transport Scotland has gone for the ‘comfort blanket’ approach of sticking to the existing road alignment which is to be protected by an ugly shelter comprising a concrete wall and roof, from which excavators will clear avalanche debris collected in pits dug behind the wall.”

Responding to the Friends, Transport Scotland said they had assessed other options and had concluded a shelter would be the most suitable.

A virtual exhibition room will be available to view from Monday, March 18 at www.pinpointcloud.co.uk/ A83restandbethankful.