October 2023 Weather Event Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 20 March 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 20 March 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 20 MARCH 2025 OCTOBER 2023 WEATHER EVENT UPDATE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This is a follow up to the report presented to the Policy and Resources Committee on 5 December 2024 in respect of the October 2023 weather event. Policy and Resources Committee - October 2023 Weather Event (Item 9) 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: - a. Notes the updates on the current position of the projects. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 The table overleaf summarises the current status of the infrastructure repair and reconstruction projects arising from the weather event in October 2023 as at February 2025. Those works coloured green are complete.
Page 2
Update on Works Progress, Scheduled Completion & Estimated Total Costs LOCATION ONGOING WORKS/PROGRESS UPDATE SCHEDULED COMPLETION ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS A816-110 Cuilfail Hotel Bridge, Kilmelford Upstream training walls, bridge parapets, pedestrian walkway, scour protection and upstream debris barrier works largely completed November 2024. Some final work required in Spring 2025 due to SEPA delays and changed advice received in final week of in-water works, additional SEPA Licencing now required. No additional costs identified at this stage. Majority of works completed by January 2025. Parapet copes due for completion Spring 2025. Upstream north training wall works expected to be completed in Summer 2025 (previously anticipated to be Spring). £200k (revenue) £2.086m (capital) - NO CHANGE B844-010 Kilninver Bridge Phase 1 Phase 1 works completed October 2023. Phase 1 – October 2023 - WORKS COMPLETED £180k (revenue) – B844-010 Kilninver Bridge Phase 2 Designs for Phase 2 works being carried out in-house with a view to works being tendered mid 2025. Any risks incurred from the delays to the Phase 2 works are being monitored and controlled to ensure the road network remains safe. Phase 2 - Late Summer 2026 - NO CHANGE Phase 2 works being incorporated into Bridge Replacement scheme already funded - NO CHANGE C30 Ford to Malevich Works completed and road fully reopened. July 2024 - NO CHANGE - WORKS COMPLETED £864k (revenue) - NO CHANGE - FINAL COSTS
Page 3
B836-060 Balliemore Bridge, Glen Lean Further to significant delays and additional costs incurred from diversion of OpenReach apparatus within damaged bridge, demolition of the existing bridge is ongoing – due to be completed late 2024. New bridge construction planned early 2025. Programmed for completion Spring 2025 - NO CHANGE £1.150m (revenue) £1.448m (capital) - NO CHANGE It is anticipated that there may be some increases in cost on this project but these have been accounted for within the wider bridge strengthening programme with budget confirmed as available to support these costs. A816 Bealach Mor, Kintraw, Ardfern Works to February 2024 Initial response including clearance and quarry works. Further clearance and scaling/stabilisation works Construction of Bypass and Loop road. February 2024 - WORKS COMPLETED £2.285m (revenue) - NO CHANGE A816 Bealach Mor, Kintraw, Ardfern Works March to September 2024 Stability, drainage and safety works. Standing by and ongoing maintenance. Traffic management to September. Contractor Project Management Costs September 2024 - WORKS COMPLETED £1.995m (revenue) - NO CHANGE A816 Bealach Mor, Kintraw, Ardfern Works to Ongoing works to bypass road continue for vehicle safety barrier, edge markers. Monitoring of Kintraw hillside in place to manage movement of traffic onto bypass route when necessary. Bypass road works programmed for completion by March 2025 (previously anticipated to be December 2024) £220k (revenue) - NO CHANGE A816 Bealach Mor, Kintraw, Ardfern Rockfall protection barriers have been installed within the road
Page 4
Rockfall barrier corridor and traffic has been moved back to the A816 under traffic lights without a convoy system. End of September 2024 - WORKS COMPLETED £400k (revenue) - NO CHANGE A816 Bealach Mor, Kintraw, Ardfern convoy system ‘v’ fixed traffic lights Traffic has been moved back to the A816 under traffic lights without a convoy system. Removal of Convoy system - End of September 2024 - NO CHANGE - COMPLETED £255k (revenue) - NO CHANGE A816 Bealach Mor, Kintraw, Ardfern convoy system ‘v’ fixed traffic lights Traffic lights operating on generator power until mains electric supply secured. Mains electric connection being progressed for traffic lights. Ongoing traffic lights operation until new, permanent road alignment. Generator power – to end of March 2025 - NO CHANGE New mains power connection by end of March 2025 - NO CHANGE Traffic Light operation – ongoing until permanent, new road - NO CHANGE A816 Bealach Mor, Kintraw, Ardfern – permanent diversion onto a widened alignment of the emergency route Following receipt of a high value quotation from the existing Specialist Contractor to deliver scheme in full accordance with design standards, we are assembling a feasibility options report with the aim of being in a informed position to
Page 5
select the optimum permanent solution design. Once the preferred option has been approved, a ground investigation and consultations with stakeholders will take place to inform the design and build contract. A design and build contract shall be prepared and tendered ensuring best value is secured. 3 – 5 years - NO CHANGE £1.1m (capital) - At this time there is no change to report however it is noted that there is significant variance between the original cost estimate of £1.1m provided by the specialist contractor employed to undertake the temporary works. A key purpose of the options study currently being progressed is to arrive at a more accurate cost estimate and enable the selection of a preferred option which provides the highest value for money overall. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report summarises and provides update on the works that have been undertaken and completed and those that are ongoing in relation to the extreme weather event which occurred on the weekend of 7 October 2023 and which was the wettest 2-day period on record for Scotland since 1891 in which Argyll and Bute was the worst affected area. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – Policies in place for climate change, coast protection etc where applicable these policies are being worked to. 5.2 Financial – No further financial implications identified at this time. 5.3 Legal – Various land agreements necessary for individual locations. 5.4 HR – None known. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None known. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None known. 5.5.3 Islands – None known.
Page 6
5.6 Climate Change – The impact of the storm is very closely linked to climate change and the October event has highlighted to need for further adaptation to be made to infrastructure to increase our resilience to future weather events. The level of investment to improve resilience is expected to be significant. 5.7 Risk – Significant risk of similar future events impacting our infrastructure. 5.8 Customer Service – None known. 5.9 Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – Investment to improve our road network will contribute to a safer environment for young people to thrive in. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services 26 February 2025 For further information contact: Stephen Hall, Interim Head of Roads and Infrastructure Service Stephen.hall@argyll-bute.gov.uk Elsa Simoes Infrastructure Design Manager Elsa.Simoes@argyll-bute.gov.uk