Rest and be Thankful closed again ahead of warning by Met Office

The Met Office has issued a heavy rain warning for parts of the west Highlands and Argyll.

Bear Scotland said it has teams on standby and last night closed the A83 at Rest and be Thankful.

The road has suffered multiple landslides this year.

The warning runs until tomorrow and affects parts of the south and west Highlands and all Argyll.

A statement from the Met Office said there is “a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings”.

All traffic expecting to use the A83 will be diverted along the Old Military Road, which runs parallel to the A83 through Glen Croe.

Eddie Ross from Bear Scotland said: “The weather forecast for Monday( today) and Tuesday indicates that heavy rainfall is expected, which could have an impact on the hillside situated above the A83.

“Our geotechnical team will monitor conditions throughout with a view to reopening the A83 once the weather front has passed and following a thorough safety inspection.

“Our 24/7 control room team will also be monitoring conditions across the whole network to help coordinate resources where required and help keep motorists moving.”

It is hoped pre-emptive closure will stop a repeat of damage caused by slips earlier in the year.

Thousands of tonnes of debris fell on to the road on August 4, forcing a repair team into action.

But a slip on September 12 led to temporary mitigation measures being washed away.

The Rest and be Thankful is plagued by landslips.