Project Details

Description

BEAR Scotland has been commissioned by Transport Scotland to carry out remediation works to address erosion at Channel 3A (Figure 1) along the A83 southeast of the Rest and be Thankful (RaBT) viewpoint.

The works will entail scour protection and slope stabilisation at Channel 3A downslope of the A83 trunk road. It is proposed to protect the slope with a reinforced concrete facing below the level of the A83 culvert outfall, held in place with soil nails. A concrete apron will be installed below the concrete facing and will incorporate boulders from the stream to resist scour. Above and adjacent to the level of the A83 culvert outfall (but downslope of the trunk road), it is proposed to stabilise the slope with flexible facing (Tecco mesh / MacMat R) held in place with ground anchors up to three metres in length (see Figure 2). Shallow excavation is required to remove loose material to allow the construction of the concrete apron, with any wastes to be removed off site.

The concrete facing and apron below the A83 outfall are intended to provide protection (and prevent further scour) to a localised area which has already experienced a degree of scour. The flexible facing secured with ground anchors above the level of the A83 culvert outfall is intended to provide slope stabilisation and prevent regression of the failure, which could impact the A83 trunk road.

These works are currently programmed for April 2026, with the duration expected to be approximately four weeks. Site working hours will be between 07:00 and 19:00. Changes in the programme may result in a change to the proposed working hours/commencement dates.

Traffic management (TM) will involve two-way temporary traffic lights with 30mph temporary speed restriction. A site compound will likely be established in the quarry to the southeast of the scheme, which has been used during previous phases of works at RaBT.

Location

The scheme is located on a section of the A83 carriageway approximately 1km southeast of the RaBT viewpoint, within the Argyll and Bute Council region (Figures 3 and 4). The National Grid Reference (NGR) for the scheme is NN 23760 06818.