Transport Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 November 2025
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 5 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Transport Scotland Update The majority of our cyclic maintenance works are now complete although weekly road & bridge inspections, ditching works & weed control are still ongoing. TS/BEAR Scotland have recently completed works; • A83 Further landscape/vegetation removal works between Tarbert & Lochgilphead • A83 Re-surfacing works at Tayinloan, Kilkenzie to Westport & Port Ann • A83 Kilmory RAB safety improvements • A83 Bend signing improvements between Minard & Lochgilphead Stoom Amy happened on 3rd October resulting with an issue of a number of fallen trees to attend to resulting with a closure of the A83 at Drishaig. For information, just before 10pm on Friday evening, BEAR specialist landscaping team was made aware of this incident, however, following an assessment of the tree, it’s surrounding area and considering the deteriorating weather conditions, it was deemed unsafe to attempt to remove the tree in darkness. BEAR Scotland managed to clear enough debris from the area to allow one lane of the A83 to reopen around 9am along with additional specialist support in the daylight hours to reopen the road in both directions just before midday. RaBT; • Further to hillside inspections, a sizable boulder has been identified for removal in order to protect A83t. Works planned for 27th October for 3 days and entail helicopter lifts over 2 days for mobilisation/demobilisation and removal works. Due to safety risks there is a requirement to use the long diversion on 28th October, anticipating that the A83t will re-open no later than 30th October – Further update will be provided at the meeting. • As a result, the westbound & phase 12 drainage improvements have since been suspended or moved to out with a safety exclusion zone until removal works have been completed • The hillside is being monitored continuously by our dedicated team as per our Landslide Management Plan
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• At Cairndow, we are still awaiting SSE to confirm the electrical connection required to enable the new signage • Other works still to be implemented at RaBT, noting that the full programme is still be determined; 1. Westbound & Phase 12 Drainage Improvements – (currently ongoing) 2. Catch fence repairs, various phases, working on the upper slopes 3. Further works required to improve the lower slopes with full extent to be confirmed 4. Further Improvement works at Glen Kinglas incl. landslip interventions & culvert/drainage clearing Wider A83T; • Resurfacing works are planned for Drum, Stronachullin, Bellochantuy, Leamnamuic, Erines Bends, Glaschonie & Low Ballevain • VRS improvement/replacement works are ongoing at Clachan until the end of November • VRS works at Westport now planned for January 2026 • Active Travel scheme with Campbeltown is still being planned to complete the crossing facilities this financial year • Route road markings & studs replacement including the use of milled-in studs will be completed this financial year • Strone Point Netting Replacement has been designed and the site works are currently being programmed for later this financial year • Tarbet to Campbelltown drainage ditching works are ongoing Other Points of Interest; • Erines widening scheme design, although within it’s early stages, is continuing to be developed • Westport link footway design will commence this financial year • West Loch Tarbert, Loch Gilp (Ardrishaig) & North of Aray Bridge locations are currently being considered for an automated flood warning system, however, this would follow a successful trial elsewhere on the network and further risk assessments at each location
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• Inveraray Seawall GPR Survey with a target to deliver these works in Q3 2025 • Dunderave Drainage investigation to commence on Q3 2025 The implementation of the 20mph zones within a number of towns within the Kintyre peninsula is nearing completion, with a briefing note sent out last month providing information for the wider group & public. In addition, BEAR are currently developing a scheme to cut back the vegetation harder/further on the A83T, to be implemented during autumn/winter this year.