An additional £6m is to be invested on the A83 in Argyll and Bute, it has been confirmed.

In a statement released by Transport Scotland, the funding will be used to alleviate the effects of landslides in the area, as well as improve the performance of the route for motorists.

News of the extra money was unveiled by Transport Minister Keith Brown at a meeting of the 'Rest and Be Thankful' taskforce. A project has been carried out in the area for some time and the fencing that has been installed to date, has performed well by stopping landslip material from reaching the road on at least two occasions. However, the focus of the works will now move to other areas deemed to be at risk from landslides. Preparatory investigations have been completed at Cairndow, Loch Shira and Glen Kinglas and the new funding will allow work to begin at the sites, while the remainder of the investment will assist with the delivery of other maintenance schemes on the A83. This includes projects like The Strone Point realignment and the trunking of the A83 from Kennacraig to Campbeltown.

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Making the announcement, Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "In the last seven years, the Scottish Government has invested more than £32 million on the A83, a clear acknowledgement that it is a lifeline route for communities.

"We want the road to remain operational, whatever the conditions, and we have made landslide mitigation our priority.

"Solutions are being delivered by Transport Scotland, with almost £8 million spent around the Rest and Be Thankful in recent years. Debris fences at this location have made a positive difference and the local diversion route along The Old Military Road has been used successfully.

"The A83 Route Study has recommended actions to address landslide hazards at other locations and this funding will allow us to take forward a programme that will achieve a similar level of residual risk from landslides that we have achieved at The Rest.

"The trunking of the road between Campbeltown and Kennacraig is moving forward at pace and this will bring further benefits to the region's communities and businesses."

(JP/IT)