Rest and Be Thankful public engagement events announced

A series of public engagement events on the long-term solution at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful will be held in March at venues across Argyll and Bute.

These are opportunities for local communities and road users to meet the designers, as well as comment on the design development and progress towards delivering the medium-term improvements along the Old Military Road (OMR).

Fiona Hyslop MSP, the cabinet secretary for transport, said, “The Scottish Government is steadfast in its commitment to delivering a long-term solution to the landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful. The announcement last June of the preferred route option for the long-term solution was a significant confirmation of our commitment to improve the route. The design work for this is being progressed at pace with a view to publishing draft Orders by the end of this year.

“At the same time, we are progressing our plans to increase the resilience of the temporary diversion route along the Old Military Road (OMR) until the long-term solution to the challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful is in place. The first phase of the work to realign the southern end of the OMR route, reducing the risk of flooding, is well underway and expected to be complete this spring.

“Design work for both the long-term solution and future phases of the medium-term improvements is being taken forward and these public engagement events next month will update local communities and road users on how this design work is progressing and let them comment on our latest plans. A virtual exhibition will also go live on 18 March for those unable to attend the public events.”

The public engagement events are as follows:

  • Monday 18 March, 10am to 4pm – South Kintyre Development Trust Hall, 32 Kirk Street, Campbeltown, PA28 6BL
  • Tuesday 19 March, 12noon to 7pm – Lochgilphead Baptist Church, Union Street, Lochgilphead, PA31 8LP
  • Wednesday 20 March, 10am to 4pm – Lochgoilhead Village Hall, 8 Hall Road, Lochgoilhead, PA24 8AQ
  • Thursday 21 March, 10am to 4pm – Three Villages Hall, Shore Road, Arrochar, G83 7AB