Council continues to campaign for permanent solution to A83

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Council continues to campaign for permanent solution to A83

Postby Kintyre Forum News » Thu Jan 14, 2016 9:42 pm

Argyll and Bute Council: Argyll and Bute Council continues to campaign for a permanent solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful

Argyll and Bute Council continues to campaign for a permanent solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful
Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, Councillor Ellen Morton, said: ‘’While the council acknowledges the work carried out to date we continue to consider this nothing more than a temporary measure.
‘’Although the Old Military Road has worked reasonably well during recent incidents we still need to explore options which guarantee continuity of access.
‘’There is now a great deal of stigma attached to the Rest and Be Thankful and public confidence is very low in terms of the reliability of the route.
‘’We need the Scottish Government to progress a permanent solution as a matter of urgency and to give us a timescale for this, as well as putting a communications plan in place to give people across the country the confidence that Argyll and Bute remains open for business despite the ongoing closures of the A83. Although communications have improved we feel that there is more work to do.
‘’While we are committed to doing all that we as a local authority can do, it is only the Scottish Government that can provide the answer.
‘’We need to find the best practical and affordable permanent solution we can.
‘’It is ridiculous that such a major route continues to be closed during periods of bad weather. This has a huge impact on the local economy. We cannot pretend that this does not have a detrimental effect on people going about their day to day lives. These continued closures are intolerable.
‘’We welcome the news of the next Task Force meeting at the end of January and will take the opportunity to discuss this matter further with the Transport Minister, Derek Mackay MSP.’’
The council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee today unanimously agreed to recommend the council take action on this matter and next week’s council meeting (Thursday 21st January) will consider the following motion:
That Council agrees that representation be made to the Scottish Government confirming that the Council:
• Acknowledges the work that has been carried out to provide the catch netting along parts of the A83 and alternative route along the Old Military Road.However, the council consider this to be a temporary solution and not a permanent solution.

• Continues to have concerns regarding the reliability and safety of the current route even with the investment that has been made to date.

• Continues to have concerns regarding the impact of the closures of the A83 to the economy of the local area

• Seeks a permanent solution to be progressed as a matter of urgency working in partnership with the Scottish Government, and a time scale provided for any permanent solution

• Requests that a communications strategy is put in place to give a clear, key message to the public that Argyll and Bute is open for business
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