Alternative route set to reopen at Rest and Be Thankful

An alternative route at Rest And Be Thankful is set to reopen at the weekend as work continues following a landslide.

The A83 road has been blocked since Tuesday when around 6000 tonnes of debris slid down a hillside during heavy rain across Argyll and Bute.

A major operation to clear the area is continuing amid hopes the alternative route can be reopened on Saturday.

Large boulders left on the route – including one weighing 100 tonnes – were dislodged by a 42-strong team and a helicopter on Thursday.

The landslide also covered the Old Military Road (OMR), which has previously been used as a diversion when the A83 has been blocked.

Road maintenance organisation Bear Scotland said it is hoped the OMR can be reopened from mid-morning on Saturday.

Heavy rain is forecast from mid-afternoon and Bear said the measures will help provide extra mitigation if debris is washed down.

The A83 and OMR remain closed on Friday with another diversion route in place.

Western Ferries has also additional sailings between Gourock and Dunoon to aid travel in the area.

Eddie Ross, Bear Scotland’s north west representative, said on Friday: “Since the large boulders were made safe yesterday late afternoon, we’ve been progressing with clearing the OMR and safeguarding it with a view for a potential reopening tomorrow mid-morning.

“We will only reopen the road if we are absolutely satisfied that it is safe to do so.

“As an added precaution we’re in the process of constructing additional protection measures next to the roadside on the OMR, including a protective bund and channel along the edge of the road which will help redirect any excess material or water from impacting the carriageway.

“We will be closely monitoring the hillside and OMR as heavy rain is forecast this afternoon.

“Work is continuing simultaneously on the A83 with good progress being made on the clearance and stabilisation work allowing us to now progress the design of the full repair solution.

“In the meantime Argyll remains open for business with Western Ferries providing additional sailings to help accommodate motorists and our teams are assisting road users using the diversion route.

“Safety remains our top priority and we’re doing everything we can to reopen the OMR as quickly and as safely as we can and then to do likewise with the A83.”