Rest and Be Thankful Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 September 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 September 2024 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 26 SEPTEMBER 2024 REST AND BE THANKFUL UPDATE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 At Full Council on 29 June 2023, a report was considered following the announcement from Transport Scotland regarding the preferred option for the long-term solution to address the challenges at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful. The report can be found here: REST AND BE THANKFUL UPDATE JUNE 2023.pdf (argyll-bute.gov.uk) 1.2 The preferred option (Brown) is for a debris flow shelter along the line of the existing Trunk Road with a construction time of approximately three to four years following improvements to the Old Military Road. This is considered the most deliverable option by Transport Scotland. 1.3 This report provides an update on the Scottish Government’s announcement on the long term solution for the Rest and Be Thankful. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that Members consider the updates provided in this report. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 At its meeting on 29 June, Council agreed the following motion: 1. request that the Leader of the Council writes to the newly appointed Minister for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, to highlight our communities’ concerns and their need for urgency in progressing the permanent solution for the Rest; 2. seek reassurance from the Minister and her officials at Transport Scotland on a range of points including clear timescales; measures to mitigate against delay; contingency plans for maintaining access in the event of a major incident during construction; and confirmation that the A82 upgrade will progress as planned;
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3. ask the Minister to convene an urgent meeting of the A83 Taskforce given the commitment made at the last meeting in Arrochar, in the context of this recent announcement and the questions that remain within the community and local industry; 4. call upon the Minister to ensure that the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and any other relevant agency will prepare and share a robust communications strategy which will reinforce the vital message at a national level that Argyll and Bute is open for business; 5. reiterate this Council’s longstanding position that urgent completion of the permanent solution is of the utmost importance in order that Argyll and Bute’s current and future opportunities for population and economic growth are not compromised; and 6. request officers to respond to the Scottish Government’s recent announcement on the basis of paragraphs 1 to 5, above. 3.2 On the basis of the Council decision, a letter was sent to the Minister from the Council Leader and also to Transport Scotland from officers in July 2023. Whilst acknowledgements were received there were no substantive replies to the correspondence. 3.3 A meeting of the A83 Taskforce was held on 24 January 2024, the minutes of which and are available on the Transport Scotland website at the following link: A83 Taskforce - Meeting Minutes - 24 January 2024 | Transport Scotland 3.4 Transport Scotland held public engagement events on the long-term solution at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful between 18 to 21 March 2024 at four venues across Argyll and Bute. These events provided local communities and road users with the opportunity to meet the designers, as well as view and comment on the design development and the progress towards delivering the medium-term improvements along the Old Military Road (OMR). In addition to the public engagement events, a virtual exhibition was also available on the Transport Scotland website. 3.5 On 27 March, Transport Scotland were invited to a Members Seminar regarding the Rest and Be Thankful. Transport Scotland officials along with their technical advisors and the project’s Contract Manager, AtkinsRealis WSP Joint Venture (AWJV), provided an update on the progress of the project covering both the medium term and long term solutions including an overview of the feedback received to date from the recent and previous public exhibitions/events. The presentation slides from this seminar are available to view on the Elected Members Hub. 3.6 A further meeting of the A83 Taskforce was held on 22 May 2024, the minutes of which and are available on the Transport Scotland website at the following link: A83 Taskforce - Meeting Minutes - 22 May 2024 | Transport Scotland
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3.7 A briefing session was provided for the Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity on Thursday 29 August by Transport Scotland’s project team and their consultants. The purpose of this briefing was to provide an updated position regarding progress and timescales, where known, for both the medium and long term works. 3.8 At the briefing it was confirmed that further upgrades to the Old Military Road (OMR) are being progressed. These works will provide two way traffic along the OMR other that at the northwest end of the OMR where the road climbs up to the car park. This section is expected to continue to be operated under traffic management including a convoy system due to the gradient and alignment. However, the maximum waiting time will reduce due to the upgrade to 2 way traffic for much of the length of the OMR. 3.9 During construction of the debris flow shelter it is anticipated that all traffic will be diverted onto the OMR due to the complexity of the construction requirements. Whilst traffic is expected to be diverted onto the OMR for a significant period (years rather than months) to allow construction the actual duration will not be firmed up until a contractor is in place and programmes, method statements etc are completed. Transport Scotland confirmed that significant work had been carried out to ensure that a positive message of Argyll being open for business is conveyed by the media when traffic uses the OMR. 3.10 The Policy Lead enquired regarding the forest route on the western side of Glen Crow being upgraded as an alternative route during the construction of the permanent works. Transport Scotland confirmed that this route had been considered. However, due the gradients and the susceptibility of landslide above and below the forest route, the route is not considered feasible to be progressed. Alternatively the OMR is being upgraded as detailed above to minimise delays in travel time and keep Argyll and Bute open for business. Next Steps 3.11 The following bullet points summarise the next steps in so far as they are known: • Upgrades for the OMR continue, the realignment of the southern section of the OMR having been recently completed. • Detailed design continues for the permanent solution. • Ground Investigation (GI) works to commence from the end of September 2024 for approximately 16 weeks. These works will involve large drilling rigs positioned on the existing A83. The A83 will be managed under traffic signals during these works. The GI works being an essential element of the design process.
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• Draft Road Orders due by the end of 2024. These Draft Orders will form part of a consultation process regarding the alignment of the proposed works including connecting into the local road network (B828). 3.12 Further updates on this project as it progresses will be provided to future Council meetings. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report provides an update on the Scottish Government’s announcement on the long term solution for the Rest and Be Thankful. The preferred option (Brown) is for a debris flow shelter along the line of the existing Trunk Road with a construction time of three to four years following improvements to the Old Military Road. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – in line with the Council’s policy positon in respect of the A83 Rest and Be Thankful which is seeking a long term permanent solution. 5.2 Financial – funding for the project to be met by Scottish Government. 5.3 Legal – limited for the Council relating to side road orders and tie-ins to the B828 to Lochgoilhead. 5.4 HR – none known. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: none known. 5.5.1 Equalities – none known. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – none known. 5.5.3 Islands – forms part of a lifeline route to islands and remote rural mainland locations. 5.6 Climate Change – due regard will be given to climate change with a view to minimising any climate change impact and these will be considered as and when they arise. 5.7 Risk – ongoing connectivity challenges for Argyll and Bute until a permanent sustainable solution is completed. 5.8 Customer Service – none known. 5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – none known.
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Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councillor John Armour August 2024 For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services Jim.Smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk