Transport Minister Keith Brown today gave the go-ahead for detailed environmental and engineering surveys as part of preparations for the upgrade of one of Scotland’s best known and challenging trunk roads.

The £500,000 work on the Loch Lomondside stretch of the A82 between Tarbert and Fort William is part of Transport Scotland’s wider strategy to substantially improve safety and journey reliability on the road.

The move, which builds on 2008’s Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), is another step in strengthening a true economic and social lifeline for communities and businesses in western Scotland.

Mr Brown said: “The A82 heading north west of Glasgow traverses some of the most renowned and stunning landscapes in the world but it also represents a vital economic and social link for the businesses and communities of the western Highlands and Islands.

“We are continually working towards a better, safer and more reliable transport network for Scotland’s future. The STPR set our evidence-based priorities for the next 20 years and we are now taking the next crucial steps in developing this work.

“Today’s announcement is real progress and represents the necessary developmental work that has to be done to identify what infrastructure work can be carried out. In financially difficult times, it is important we make the right improvements, at the right time, in the right place.

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“There are no quick and easy fixes however. Regular users of the road will agree the case for improving the A82 along Loch Lomond is clear but the road is wedged between the Loch and the rock of the adjacent hillside and upgrade will inevitably mean closures and disruption during construction. The characteristics of the road vary widely and it’s important to target the right areas and use the best solution balancing value for money and benefit to road users.”

The survey work will provide vital topographical and environmental information to inform the design of a major upgrade of the route which is expected to cost approximately £200m (at today’s prices). This will build on two major capital projects for the stretch at Pulpit Rock and the Crianlarich bypass representing a total of nearly £17m. Both schemes are currently undergoing their statutory procedures.

Further work is also being considered as part of the strategy, such as the potential introduction of overtaking lanes north of Crianlarich and traffic management measures to increase safety and journey reliability south of Fort William along the bank of Loch Linnhe.

A range of more minor structural improvements are also planned through Transport Scotland’s operating company TranServ. Eight surfacing schemes were planned on the A82 in 2011/12 with a total value of £1.5million – four have been carried out already with another four progressing before Spring 2012.

Mr Brown added: “The economic climate may continue to be challenging but we are committed to investing in Scotland’s infrastructure on a robustly planned and sustained basis. While the survey work takes the necessary steps in developing what will be a major capital infrastructure project, we continue to invest in other targeted projects now to promote economic growth through safer, more reliable journeys for businesses and individuals and more attractive tourism and investment opportunities and investment into Argyll and Bute and the western Highlands and Isles.

“To that end, my officials continue to engage with landowners to resolve objections and I look forward to satisfactory completion of the statutory processes on both the Pulpit Rock scheme and the Crianlarich bypass to allow these vital projects to progress.”

Following the survey work officials from Transport Scotland will host a series of public information sessions in areas directly affected by the works to get feedback on the proposals which will be taken into account as the plans are further progressed. These are likely to be held in the early part of 2012.

(GK/KMcA)