First phase of A83 Rest and Be Thankful upgrade nears completion

The first phase of the Rest and Be Thankful upgrade works is nearing completion.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop visited the the major route through Argyll on Wednesday.

The visit took place after the cabinet secretary chaired the latest meeting of the A83 Taskforce in Arrochar.

The members of the Taskforce were updated on progress in delivering the “medium-term solution” along the existing Old Military Road as well as the ongoing design work for a permanent solution to the challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful.

Hyslop spoke on the planned upgrades adding that the government remains “committed” to a long-term solution.

Glasgow & West

Public consulted on plans for Rest and Be Thankful landslip shelter

The landslip-prone road is set for improvement works worth around £470m.

Rest and Be Thankful updated plans Transport Scotland

“I welcomed the opportunity to visit the A83 and see first-hand the challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful and the work going on to upgrade the temporary diversion at the Old Military Road,” she said.

“The first phase of the work to realign its southern end is nearing completion and in advance of the next phase of the work starting later this year, the ground investigations, which will get underway shortly, will help determine the conditions of the terrain.”

The transport secretary said the planned improvement would “increase the resilience and operation of the temporary diversion route by reducing the likelihood of landslides impacting the route”.

“This will mean more certainty for locals and road users if the A83 has to shut due to adverse weather conditions,” she said.

“At the same time, we are taking forward at pace the detailed development and assessment of the preferred route option for the long-term solution, with a view to publishing draft Orders by the end of this year.

“All of this underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to work with key stakeholders and local communities to ensure that Argyll and Bute remains open for business.”