Funding for RABT tunnel questioned

Funding for a permanent solution at the Rest and Be Thankful is subject to the Scottish Government’s future budget setting, transport chiefs have said.

 

Doubts were expressed at a full meeting of Argyll and Bute Council about whether the repairs for the stretch of the A83 – the preferred solution for which is a debris shelter – were fully funded.

 

And a Transport Scotland spokesperson has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the finaances for a permanent solution will be determined as part of the Scottish Government’s annual budget-setting process and spending reviews.

 

Funding is confirmed for delivery of the medium-term improvements for the Old Military Road, which are expected to start later this year.

 

The council’s meeting took place on Thursday June 29, during which the council’s leader, Kintyre and the Islands Liberal Democrat Councillor Robin Currie, delivered a report on recent activity.

 

Mid Argyll Independent Councillor Douglas Philand said: “I know we have done a tremendous amount of work on the A83. Has the minister, or somebody, said this is fully funded?

 

“It is one thing saying that this is a permanent solution, but another for it to be fully funded.”

 

Councillor Currie responded: “I asked the transport minister at the time of the taskforce meeting (Jenny Gilruth), and her response was yes, it is fully funded.”

 

Councillor Philand’s ward colleague, SNP councillor Jan Brown, then said: “I was at the consultation on the A83 two weeks ago. Funding was one of the questions I asked and they said that no funding was in place until the work started and then they would look at more funding.

 

“I said that as far as we were aware, the funding was there for the entire project, so we maybe need to pick that back up again.”

 

Councillor Currie said: “I am disappointed to hear that, but I have complete confidence in what was said.”

 

However, a Transport Scotland spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to an infrastructure solution to address landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

 

“We share the urgency communities and businesses place on maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route, which is why we are progressing measures for the short-, medium- and long-term in tandem.

 

“Spending as set out in the Scottish Budget 2023/24 is confirmed which includes commencing delivery of the medium-term improvements for the Old Military Road, which are expected to start later this year in a phased manner, along with taking forward the essential preparatory work on the long-term solution.

 

“Funding to take forward the construction stage of the long term solution to the landslip risks will be determined as part of the annual Scottish Budget setting process and subsequent capital spending reviews (CSR).”

 

Responding to Transport Scotland’s comments, councillor Currie told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “My understanding from the minister at the time was that it was fully funded but, when I write to the new transport minister (Fiona Hyslop), I will be asking the same question again and seeking a guarantee.”