Tunnel vision at Rest and Be Thankful

The Scottish Government has identified its long-term solution to landslips and closures on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful: a 1.4km tunnel open on one side called a “debris flow shelter”, costing almost half a billion pounds.

 

The selection of the preferred option follows design and assessment work on five options through the Glen Croe valley, the Scottish Government's transport agency, Transport Scotland, said on June 2.

 

It added: “Debris flow shelters are akin to a tunnel with one open side and are a recognised means of protecting transport infrastructure and its users from falling rock and debris in areas susceptible to debris flows or landslides. They have been successfully used across Europe and beyond for many years.

 

“This option closely follows the alignment of the existing A83 Trunk Road for 2.4km from the Croe Water heading north to the Rest and Be Thankful car park and involves constructing a debris flow shelter over a length of approximately 1.4km with an additional 180 metres of catch pit and protection wall to protect the road and road users from future debris flow events.

 

“The current estimated cost of the preferred option is approximately £405 million – £470m (at 2023 prices).

 

“An online exhibition has gone live where the public can view and comment on the preferred route option.

 

"Public exhibitions will be held for four days from June 12 in Arrochar and then Lochgilphead where the Transport Scotland project team and technical advisors will be available to answer questions on the proposals for the route.”

 

Prior to his resignation on Tuesday (June 6), transport minister Kevin Stewart MSP said: “We want to hear from the public on our proposals and both the online exhibition and public exhibitions in two weeks are your opportunity to tell us what you think.

 

“At the same time as progressing the long-term solution, we are looking to increase the resilience of the temporary diversion route along the existing Old Military Road, having identified the preferred route solution for it late last year.

 

“The first phase of implementing the medium-term solution will begin later this year with realignment of the southern end of the route. This will increase resilience of the temporary diversion route by reducing the likelihood of closures due to flooding."

 

South Kintyre councillor Donald Kelly and fellow Argyll First councillor Dougie Philand of the Mid Argyll ward are behind a petition calling for a public inquiry into the political and financial management of the Rest and Be Thankful project, which is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament's Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee.

 

Councillor Kelly said: “Obviously, I am delighted that finally we have a permanent option on the table, however, I am frustrated, as the proposal of a shelter was an option more than 10 years ago and was disregarded out of hand at that time.

 

“It feels like we are starting from scratch all over again, after wasting more than £100 million of public money in that time.”

 

Councillor Philand said: “We now have to wait for environmental assessments, further development assessments, road traffic orders and possible compulsory purchases which will mean that project will not commence for dear knows how long.

 

“Had the suggestion been taken forward a number of years ago when first mooted, I’m sure the project would be nearing completion by now.”

 

Councillor Kelly added: “Two things need to happen: the new plan must move forward as quickly as possible and a full public enquiry must be initiated.

 

“Our petition is still live in the parliament and we will be asking that it remains so until the permanent solution is in place.”

 

The public exhibitions will take place at The Three Villages Hall, Arrochar, on Monday 12 June from noon to 7pm and on Tuesday 13 June from 10am to 5pm, and at Lochgilphead Baptist Church Hall on Wednesday 14 June from noon to 7pm and on Thursday 15 June from 10am to 5pm.

 

Some, including East Kintyre Community Council, have questioned the decision not to hold any public exhibitions south of Lochgilphead.