Concerns voiced at Rest and Be Thankful public exhibition

One of his worries is that construction could dislodge unstable material. “You’re talking about 100,000 tonnes of debris ready to move when they start building,” he said.

The proposed shelter will be 1.4 kilometres long and Andy Buntin, chairman of Lochgilphead Community Council, added that it will not provide protection if landslides occur elsewhere on the A83.

Several attendees, including members of the RABT Campaign group, said that even after improvements are made to the OMR, they are worried about using the road as a main route during construction on the Rest.

Kenny MacLeod, Managing Director of MacLeod Construction, said: “I don’t think the public realise that it will be a convoy system for four years.”

Some said they would have preferred a new road on the opposite side of the valley and Jane MacLeod of the Mid Argyll Chamber of Commerce said she was “disappointed” that this proposed solution was “dismissed”. 

She also raised questions about project funding, saying: “The way the Scottish Government is talking, there is no money in the budget for it and it could take years for construction to start.”

Some attendees said the unreliability of the A83 is putting people off moving to the area and scaring away tourists. 

Andrew Spence of BID4Oban said: “Every time the A83 being shut comes on the news it’s like there is a sign up saying Argyll is closed.”

One member of the public said the issue also works the other way and she has rarely been outside of Argyll since landslide problems worsened.

“For weaker people, you would feel trapped,” she said. “It’s the degree of isolation.”

Robin Finlay and Carl Olivarius of Argyll Talking Newspapers voiced frustration about the delay in settling on the debris flow shelter solution.

“It has taken so long to do something that was mentioned at the very start,” said Robin. “Just get on with it,” added Carl.

Gordon Ramsay, Transport Scotland Project Manager, was answering queries. He said: “The most common question people have been asking is ’Can you build it as soon as possible?’.”

He said the team has been working “at pace” to provide a solution. Construction of the schemes can only start following completion of the statutory process. 

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering a long-term solution to the landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

“It is a clear sign of that ongoing commitment that we were able to publish Draft Orders for both the long-term solution and future phases of the medium-term solution to provide an improved diversionary route along the Old Military Road in December."

They added that all comments received at the public exhibitions will be considered as they progress plans further.

An online virtual exhibition is available to view here.