Rest and Be Thankful diversion route to be upgraded

Transport Scotland said it was developing medium term improvements to the Old Military Road (OMR) through the Glen Croe corridor, days after the Rest and Be Thankful was subject to convoy control.

It said the improvements would make it a more resilient diversion route until a long-term solution was in place.

Proposed improvements included debris catch fences, temporary bunds and widening and discrete realignment to improve bends and avoid flooding.

It is expected that the works would be carried out on a phased basis commencing later in 2023.

In August, Transport Scotland said it had appointed an engineering firm to design a solution to the section of the A83 road, but this was met with scorn by campaigners, who said it had done nothing about the notorious road for more than a decade.

The government estimated there are 100,000 tonnes of unstable material ready to fall on lorries and other motorists on the road and in 2020 it had to be closed for 200 days due to landslips.

On Monday this week road maintenance firm Bear Scotland said the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful would operate under convoy control on the OMR with immediate effect due to concern over hillside conditions.

Several areas of movement had been witnessed and due to the continued rain and snow melt a precautionary approach was being taken.

Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “The Scottish government remains committed to a long-term solution to the landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

“There is a clear need for pace and urgency on delivering these improvements and I recognise that communities have been waiting for many years to see the action that is required.

“These improvements will mean more certainty for locals and road users if the A83 is shut due to adverse weather conditions.

“Transport Scotland will provide more details of the improvements planned to the OMR at the next A83 Taskforce meeting in Argyll in January.”