A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip 'not safe to clear'

A landslip-hit road in Argyll has been deemed too dangerous to clear, after about 1,000 tonnes of debris was dumped onto the roadway.

The Rest and Be Thankful section of the A83 road was closed on Wednesday after up to 100 tonnes of hillside came down following a period of heavy rain.

Transport Scotland said further slips brought down more debris.

A long diversion - adding up to 50 miles to some journeys - is in place. It runs via the A83, A819, A85 and A82.

The route has a history of being blocked by landslips with closures in 2007, 2009, 2011 and again earlier this year.

Local politicians said the issue was having a bad effect on the local economy.

Following the latest incident, a spokesman for Transport Scotland said machinery was in place to clear debris from the Rest and Be Thankful, but conditions on the hillside meant it was still "too dangerous to clear".

He said geo-technical experts were on the scene assessing the risk of more landslips.

We really need to have the alternative diversionary route in place by the autumn at the very latest”

About £700,000 has been spent at the Rest and Be Thankful on measures to prevent landlsips, including hillside netting, a new culvert and drainage system and monitoring equipment.

Work is also due to start at the end of August on a diversion route along the nearby old military road. This upgrade is expected to take 12 weeks.

Argyll and Bute MP Alan Reid said the latest closure had come at a bad time of year for businesses dependent on tourism.

He said Transport Scotland had previously assured that the diversion route would be in place "before the landslip season, which is known to start in August".

Councillor Donald Kelly of the Argyll First group said the Scottish government needed to act, adding: "The impact (of landslip diversions) is immense.

"It adds cost to transportation and puts a strain on business.

"We really need to have the alternative diversionary route in place by the autumn at the very latest this year, but we also need a plan of action to address the issues of the Rest and Be Thankful."

The Transport Scotland spokesman added: "It is now believed that up to 1,000 tonnes of debris have fallen onto the road, with more material coming down the slope overnight, including large boulders.

"The A83 will remain closed at the Rest and Be Thankful until the clear-up operation is complete. Our absolute priority is the safety of motorists and we appreciate their continuing patience.

"We are also well aware of the concerns of the local community and every effort is being made to deliver a safe emergency route as a matter of urgency."