BEAR Scotland have announced road surface improvement works on a section of the A83 between Inveraray and Lochgilphead.

The project will see over one kilometre of the A83 at Minard resurfaced, creating a safer and smoother journey for road users.

The overnight project is programmed to begin on Sunday 4 July and is expected to take two weeks to complete. The improvements will take place between 8pm and 5am each night with the project scheduled to be completed by 5am on Friday 16 July, subject to weather conditions. No works are programmed for Friday or Saturday nights.

Due to the narrow road widths present at this location on the A83, work will be carried out using a series of full road closures between Inveraray and Lochgilphead to ensure the safety of operatives and road users. The project is planned to take place as follows:

• Phase One – Sunday 4 July (one night)

A signed diversion route will be in place via the A819, A85 and A816, adding 50 miles to the journey for road users travelling between Inveraray and Lochgilphead.

• Phase Two – Monday 5 July (one night)

Amnesty periods will be in place at 9pm and 10pm to allow any waiting traffic to safely convoy through the area. Motorists are encouraged to arrive in advance of these times to ensure they can be accommodated by the convoys.  A signed diversion route will then be in place via the A819, A85 and A816 from 11pm, adding 50 miles to the journey for road users travelling between Inveraray and Lochgilphead. No amnesties will be provided after 11pm.

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• Phase Three – Tuesday 6 July to Thursday 15 July (eight nights, excluding Friday and Saturday nights)

Amnesty periods will be in place at 9pm, 10pm, midnight, 2am and 4am to allow any waiting traffic to safely convoy through the area.  Motorists are encouraged to arrive in advance of these times to ensure they can be accommodated.

Emergency services will be able to pass through the works at all times. Local access for residents and scheduled bus services will be maintained as far as reasonably practicable.

The A83 will remain open during the daytime to keep disruption to a minimum, however, to ensure the safety of motorists a speed restriction of 30mph will remain in place as traffic will be running on a temporary surface.

Consultation has been carried out with emergency services and relevant stakeholders to make them aware of the plans and share information about the project in advance.

Strict physical distancing protocols, in accordance with Scottish Government COVID-19 guidance, will be implemented to protect operatives, such that they remain safe at all times.

Commenting on the improvements, Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland's North West Representative said: "This £350,000 surfacing improvement project will help address defects on the A83 between Inveraray and Lochgilphead, improving safety and ride comfort for road users.

"We need to close the road to ensure that our teams and road users are kept safe during the project, however we've arranged for the works to take place overnight and we are avoiding working during busier periods, thus minimising disruption as much as we can. We've also arranged for amnesty periods during certain phases of work, which will allow traffic to safely pass through the work site at preset times to limit any impact as best we can.

"Our teams will do all they can to complete the works quickly and safely, and we thank the local community and road users for their patience while the resurfacing operations are undertaken. We encourage motorists to plan ahead before setting out by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date travel information."