Preliminary ground investigations towards a long-term solution for the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful are expected to get underway next month, with Transport Scotland progressing work to develop a medium-term resilient route.
Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd have been appointed to undertake the £1.8m contract for ground investigation work, which is expected to last until the end of April, weather permitting.
Transport Scotland said this level of ‘investment’ is required to carry out the extensive early investigation needed to best inform the design process for the long-term scheme.
The costs reflect ‘both the challenging landscape presented at the route and the range and nature of the options being under consideration’.
Works on the A83 last summer (left), with the Old Military Road lower down the valley
The route is frequently blocked by landslides, despite repeated and ongoing works to protect it.
Announcing the move, transport minister Graeme Dey, who has since stepped down on health grounds, said: ‘Identifying the preferred route corridor for a resilient long term solution last year was a major step forward for this vital work and we continue to push forward the design of alternative options within that online corridor.
‘The ground investigations, which are part of the necessary baseline data that we are collecting, are expected to start next month and will help inform that design work as we look to identify a preferred route option next year.’
Mr Dey said the Scottish Government recognises that the timescales for developing a long-term solution are frustrating for the local community.
He added: ‘However, this scheme is technically challenging and the landscape is dynamic so it is vital we understand the terrain we are working in, in order to develop a suitable solution of the correct standard in the correct place.’
Mr Dey said that in recognition of the urgency to find a solution Transport Scotland is also progressing work to develop a medium-term resilient route through Glen Croe and would bring forward proposals by late 2022. He added that this includes consideration of utilising the existing forestry track.
