A contractor to carry out ground investigation work as part of the A82 Target to Inverarnan improvement scheme has been appointed.

The contract, valued at more than £370,000, has been awarded to Environmental Scientifics Group Ltd, Transport Scotland has confirmed.

The work is scheduled to begin next month and continue for a period of nine weeks. The project is part of a Stage 2 assessment for the route.

It is anticipated that a preferred route alignment for scheme will be chosen by summer 2015.

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Welcoming the announcement, Transport Minister Keith Brown, said: "We are firmly committed to upgrading the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan.

"We announced earlier this year that any upgrade work would take place along the line of the existing 17 km section of the route. Now we are taking forward further design work to identify a preferred route by next Summer.

"These ground investigations due to get underway next month will provide the detailed information needed to help inform the scheme's design. We need to ensure that any future upgrade fits within the area's outstanding landscape and environment and maintains the renowned beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park."

He continued: "The work we are doing along this vital route that connects the Highlands and Islands with the central belt will lead to improved road safety and journey time reliability and meet the needs of business, communities and visitors alike."

(JP/MH)