The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council has called on the the Scottish Government to formally commit to identifying and funding a permanent solution to keep the A83, and Argyll and Bute, open for business.

Councillors unanimously agreed the action at the meeting of full Council, in response to the impact on residents and businesses of the most recent closure of the road.

Councillor Aileen Morton, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: "This Council, local residents, businesses and parliamentarians have all been clear for years that a permanent solution for the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful is absolutely essential, that the negative impact of the road closures and the negative impact of the reporting of the road closures is detrimental to Argyll's communities.

-- Advertisement --

"What made this latest closure so significant is the fact that the landslides and severe weather also wiped out, for a period, the supposed solution to the problem – the Old Military Road, which too remained closed until Monday 15th October, one full week after the first landslide

"The failure of the most recent works to keep the road open demands an urgent review of existing and future plans at the Rest and Be Thankful.

"The scale of financial support needed to deliver a permanent solution is potentially very substantial. However, when considered in the light of other investments across the country, such as the Queensferry Crossing at a cost of £1.350 billion pounds or the Aberdeen bypass at a cost of £745million, then the potential costs here are put into a different perspective.

"Argyll is a great place to live, work and visit. Argyll is here, offering the potential to drive not only our own economy but also boost that of Scotland as a whole. That can't be allowed to be lost because of a piece of road. Our communities, and in fact the wider Scottish economy, need and deserve a robust road network that keeps Argyll open."