Rest and Be Thankful Roundtable Discussions Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 18 December 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 18 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 18 DECEMBER 2025 REST AND BE THANKFUL ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS REPORT 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Landslips on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful have been a recurring issue for decades. They became a major and persistent problem in the mid-2000s 1.2 The first widely reported closures occurred in October 2007 and September 2009, following heavy rain, caused significant disruption and long diversions. These events highlighted the vulnerability of the route to debris flows and slope instability. 1.3 Since 2010, landslides have occurred more frequently and with greater impact, prompting Transport Scotland to invest in mitigation measures such as debris fences and catch pits. 1.4 Two unprecedented landslides in August and September 2020 deposited 6,000 and 10,000 tonnes of material on the road, leading to prolonged closures and accelerating plans for a long-term solution (including a proposed debris flow shelter). 1.5 Despite mitigation, landslips continue regularly, with notable incidents in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including closures after heavy rainfall and debris flows of hundreds of tonnes. The frequency and intensity have increased due to climate- related factors like more intense rainfall. 1.6 In summary: Landslips have affected the A83 for at least 20 years, but the problem has become critical since 2007 and particularly severe since 2020.
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1.7 The Scottish Government is in the process of reviewing short, medium and long term plans for the Rest and Be Thankful. This report gives details on the solutions being presented as well as local concerns raised via a Round Table Group sanctioned by the Transport Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and Chaired by Jenni Minto MSP. 1.8 Currently there are three stages being taken forward by Transport Scotland as mitigation measures for the issues being experienced at the Rest and be Thankful for many years which have adversely affected local businesses in Argyll and Bute. Short, Medium and Long-term measures are presented at a high level in this report. 1.9 A summary of the Roundtable discussions is further reported.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 18 DECEMBER 2025 REST AND BE THANKFUL ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS REPORT 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report advises of the current and planned measures to mitigate against the closures and works to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful by the Scottish Government as well as updating the committee on the Roundtable stakeholder discussions chaired by Jenni Minto MSP. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that members of the EDI Committee a. consider the contents of this report and the concerns raised by local stakeholders. b. Note that i. these concerns have been summarised in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Appendix 1) ii. a response has been received from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Appendix 2) acknowledging the economic and wellbeing concerns and that iii. the Cabinet Secretary for Transport has instructed Transport Scotland to review the work undertaken to date in relation to providing two-way operation for the MTS including use of the forestry track and a full two way road option.
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4.0 DETAIL 4.1 Short-Term measures currently in use when the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful is closed for weather events such as landslips and associated flooding include the below: • the use of the Old Military Road as a diversion. • Convoy system: When the Old Military Road is in use, traffic is managed under a convoy system. • Traffic management: Temporary traffic lights may be used on the A83. • Landslide mitigation: Physical measures include debris fences, roadside catch- pits, and improved drainage systems. • Monitoring: Daily monitoring of the A83 includes checking weather forecasts and geotechnical inspections to assess risk. Medium Term Measures include: • Improving the Old Military Road (OMR): The OMR is being upgraded to be more resilient and better operated as a diversion route. The southern section of the OMR has already been realigned. • Managing landslide risk: The solution will address landslide issues at the Rest and Be Thankful location on the A83. • Connecting to the local road network: The plan includes connecting the proposed works to the local road network, specifically the B828. • Consultation and planning • An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was published in December 2024, with a statutory consultation period ending February 7, 2025. • Draft Road Orders were sent out for engagement at the end of 2024, which forms part of a consultation process. Long Term measures include: • Debris flow shelter: The preferred long-term solution is a 1.4 km debris flow shelter, which will be built along the line of the existing A83. • Construction timeframe: The construction is estimated to take three to four years after improvements are made to the Old Military Road. • Additional features: The project also includes upgrades to the car park and viewpoint and a new active travel link. 4.2 The Cabinet Secretary for Transport currently chairs the A83 Task Force with the below remit: Primary Objective: • To oversee delivery of actions required to deliver the short, medium and long term solution. • To ensure communications are shared with wider stakeholders.
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Secondary Objective: • To input and provide oversight on the ongoing road operation and maintenance work on the wider A83 Trunk Road. • To ensure communications are shared with wider stakeholders. 4.3 As a result of • wider stakeholder concerns and in particular local businesses and • representation from the Policy Lead for Roads and Infrastructure in Argyll and Bute Council regarding the Medium and Long term solutions, the Cabinet Secretary agreed to a Roundtable event being chaired by Jenni Minto MSP to take place and report back their findings to the Rest and be Thankful Stakeholder Group. The roundtable event held in Inveraray on 12 September 2025, brought together Jenni Minto MSP, Brendan O’Hara MP, Jackie Baillie MSP, elected officials, business leaders, transport providers, and community representatives to discuss the impact of the proposed four-year closure of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful (RABT), with reliance on the Old Military Road (OMR) as a diversion. The consensus across all sectors was clear: the current proposal poses a significant economic, social, and human risk to Argyll and Bute. 4.4 Key Issues raised: 4.4.1 Transport & Logistics • Hauliers reported severe delays and increased costs due to the single-lane OMR. • Two-way access is essential for operational viability. • Driver regulations and compliance issues are exacerbated by delays. • Western Ferries could offer partial relief but lacks capacity for dangerous goods. 4.4.2 Business & Industry • Aquaculture, timber, agriculture, and whisky sectors face rising costs, reduced competitiveness, and potential job losses. • Timber sector forecasts a 10–50% cost increase depending on route. • Construction and housing industries fear stagnation and reduced workforce due to access issues.
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4.4.3. Tourism & Hospitality • Visitor confidence is declining due to poor communication and travel disruptions. • Survey by Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers (ASSC) shows: a. 72% expect moderate to severe impacts. b. Up to 50% turnover losses. c. 13% of businesses may close permanently. • Reputational damage could be long-lasting. 4.4.4. SMEs & Local Economy • Small businesses predict 5–30% cost increases. • Recruitment and retention challenges are growing. • Depopulation concerns are linked to reduced accessibility and opportunity. 4.4.5. Public Sector & Community Services • Emergency services face operational risks due to delays. • Volunteer transport services for medical appointments are heavily impacted. • Waste management costs projected to rise by £700k annually due to landfill ban and increased haulage. 4.4.6 Economic Impact Assessments • Total projected cost of delays and business losses: ~£500 million over the project’s lifetime. • Tourism sector impact: £404–£532 million over six years. • Potential permanent loss: £60 million annually if closures lead to business shutdowns. 4.4.7 Recommendations & Proposed Actions from Stakeholders at the meeting: 1. Upgrade medium-term solution to a two-way road without traffic lights or convoy systems. 2. Improve communication: • Real-time travel updates. • Clear signage avoiding acronyms. • National marketing campaign to reassure visitors. 3. Expand Timberlink scheme to reduce road pressure. 4. Support ferry alternatives with road equivalent tariffs. 5. Provide direct business support:
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• Grants, tax relief, and rate adjustments. 6. Reassess delay calculations using peak travel times (7am–7pm) rather than 24-hour averages. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The Rest and Be Thankful issue is not just a transport challenge—it is a regional crisis affecting every sector of Argyll and Bute. Without urgent action to ensure reliable two-way access, the area risks long-term economic decline, depopulation, and loss of investor and visitor confidence. 5.2 A letter was sent by Brendan O’Hara MP to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport on behalf of all attendees at the roundtable meeting highlighting the issues being experienced and very real costs to businesses as a result of the plans. (Appendix 1). 5.3 The Cabinet Secretary for Transport has responded by letter to Brendan O’Hara MP (Appendix 2). This letter confirmed that, from the feedback received from officials at Transport Scotland who attended the A83 Roundtable meetings, coupled with the discussion at the recent A83 Taskforce on 1 October, the Cabinet Secretary has gained a strong sense of feeling from contributing stakeholders of their economic and wellbeing concerns in respect of the use of the OMR as a diversion route during construction of the LTS. Subsequently as discussed at the most recent A83 Taskforce meeting, the Cabinet Secretary has instructed Transport Scotland to review the work undertaken to date in relation to providing two-way operation for the MTS, including use of the forestry track and a full two way road option. The Cabinet Secretary further states that she is aware of the concerns of A83 Roundtable attendees and also that time has passed since these options were assessed and has also asked Transport Scotland to continue to engage with John Gurr of the A83 Campaign Group with a view to holding further meetings with the Group for open discussion on the MTS options previously assessed. 5.4 In tandem The Cabinet Secretary for Transport has actioned Transport Scotland to engage with Highland and Island Enterprise and Argyll and Bute Council with a view to setting up an Economic Action Group to consider potential economic impacts during construction of the LTS and possible mitigation or policies to assist in alleviating such impacts. Further, the officials at Transport Scotland will also progress further engagement with the Road Haulage Association and Western Ferries to consider possible measures to encourage hauliers to use ferry services as opposed to the A83.
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6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – None Known 6.2 Financial – None Known at this time 6.3 Legal – None Known 6.4 HR – Delays may impact on staff traveling across the A83. 6.5 Customer Service - Delays may impact on Social Care services and other like services if staff traveling across the A83 are delayed. 6.6 Risk – None Known 6.7 Climate Change – None Known 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – None Known 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – Delays may impact some residents should services be delayed as a result of the planned works. 6.10 Consumer Duty – None Known 6.11 Island Communities – None Known 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – None Known Kirsty Flanagan Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Policy Lead John Armour 6 November 2025 For further information contact: Andrew Summers, Head of Roads and Infrastructure mailto:Andrew.summers@argyll-bute.gov.uk Hugh O’Neill, Network and Standards Manager Hugh.o’neill@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 Letter from Brendan O’Hara to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Appendix 2 Letter of response to Brendan O’Hara from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport