Mackay highlights commitment to A82

The design work for the scheme along the banks of Loch Lomond is on-going and it is hoped that a preferred route will be identified and public exhibitions held during September.

The Minister started his journey in Tyndrum which took him through the recently completed Crianlarich Bypass and the Pulpit Rock improvement scheme, which finally removed the traffic lights from the location after more than 30 years and enabled the free flow of traffic.

Mr Mackay said:

“The A82 connects the Highlands and Islands with the central belt and is a vital lifeline for businesses and local communities and a popular route for visitors to the Loch Lomond area.

“The Scottish Government is committed to significant improvement programmes for this vital route and is determined to deliver on them for communities along its length, with around £57 million committed since 2007.

“As part of that commitment, we are progressing the design work for the Tarbet to Inverarnan stretch. Travelling along it today in the cab of a lorry has helped give me a better insight into the challenges its topography brings to road users and the need for it to be upgraded.

“That is why we are working hard to identify a preferred route and hope to let the public see it in September. It is important that any upgrade to the route fits with the challenge of the topography while maintaining the world renowned beauty of the area and as that work is further developed, we will be considering the appropriate safe road width and speed limit for this section.

“In addition, to the planned upgrade, we have also completed the Crianlarich Bypass, which has improved access for local people, local businesses and tourists by taking much of the through traffic away from the town.

“I was also pleased as part of the trip to drive through the completed Pulpit Rock scheme which removed a notorious traffic bottleneck and is improving road safety and journey time reliability for road users.”