Part 1 - A83 Rest and Be Thankful

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop (FH), welcomed everyone to the 31^st A83 Taskforce meeting.

FH assured Taskforce members that she was committed to building on the positive engagement undertaken to date with stakeholders through the A83 Taskforce. FH noted that she will be retiring from her position of MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Transport in advance of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections and as such this was her last time chairing the A83 Taskforce.

FH reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to keeping Argyll and Bute open for business and that the Government is acutely aware of the importance of the A83 trunk road to the communities and economy of the Argyll and Bute area. FH noted impacts of the scheme should be carefully considered, particularly due to the impacts on local communities.

FH noted that following the roundtable meetings which took place on 12 September 2025, she instructed officials at Transport Scotland to re-evaluate three options which were previously assessed as part of the medium term solution but with no convoy working or traffic lights. FH noted this was a key request from the Campaign Group and noted Transport Scotland officials have addressed this promptly and effectively.

FH noted she was pleased to hear that the Campaign Group have had productive meetings with Transport Scotland officials and would like to thank all attendees from the Campaign Group for their time and valuable input to this appraisal work.

FH confirmed that officials at Transport Scotland had carried out a robust review of three options previously assessed for the medium term solution but with no convoy working or traffic lights. FH noted that she had now received the outcome of this appraisal work, however, had not yet had an opportunity to review it. FH noted that officials at Transport Scotland would present later in the meeting some of the key findings from the appraisal. FH continued to note that she was keen to hear the views from Taskforce members before any decision is made, and that there would be an opportunity to do so later in the meeting.

Introduction and Apologies

FH informed the group that Transport Scotland officials and their technical advisors would provide updates on the work which has been taken forward since the last taskforce in October. This will include updates on the current conditions and mitigation on the hillside as well as the current traffic management from BEAR Scotland.

FH noted that as per previous Taskforce meetings, she intended to focus directly on the short, medium and long term works associated with the Rest and Be Thankful in the first part of this Taskforce meeting, and thereafter would hand over to Officials at Transport Scotland to lead discussions on the Road Operation and Maintenance on the wider A83 Trunk Road. FH noted that Officials at Transport Scotland are best placed to respond to any queries on the operation of the wider A83.

FH added that apologies were received and noted that these will be recorded in the minutes.

Actions from previous minutes

FH asked Gordon Ramsay (GR) to provide an overview of the outstanding actions from the previous taskforce meeting:

GR confirmed that Drainage improvements were completed on the eastbound carriageway near the Cobbler Bridge before Christmas. A further phase of drainage improvements on the westbound carriageway is programmed to commence in May.

GR confirmed that a review of the previous design work at Erines had been undertaken. Transport Scotland and BEAR are now planning to carry out an options review in the coming financial year to inform the suitable solution to improve Erines pinch point.

GR confirmed this programme was issued to Taskforce Members on 15 December and this action can be closed.

GR confirmed that meetings with Western Ferries and the Road Haulage Association have been held, including a survey which was issued by the Road Haulage Association, to their members. Feedback from these discussions indicated that there is little appetite from hauliers to use these ferry services, and as such this action can be closed.

GR confirmed this information was provided to Taskforce members on 10 November 2025 and this action can be closed.

GR confirmed that Transport Scotland officials had held meetings with HIE to discuss this. This action remains open and dialogue will continue in the coming weeks and months.

GR noted that this paper was issued to Taskforce members on 10 November 2025 and this action can be closed.

GR confirmed that meetings to discuss the two-way free flowing options were held with the Campaign Group, as well as a site visit to the forestry track in November 2025; this action can be closed.

GR noted that BEAR Scotland continue with weekly inspections to identify category 1 defects requiring priority attention. A programme of landscape vegetation cut back was undertaken between Tarbet and Campbeltown in November 2025 and January 2026 and is continuing through to the end of March 2026.

GR noted that BEAR Scotland’s Roads team were advised of the concerns regarding traffic diverting onto this local road and subsequently liaised with Argyll and Bute Council with regards to the provision of additional temporary signing during planned resurfacing on the A83.

GR noted that this work commenced on 4 March 2026 and will take 6 weeks to complete.

GR noted that the signage on the northbound approach to the A82/A83 junction has been reviewed and is considered to be suitable, particularly given the 30/20mph speed limit. The combination of Advanced Direction Sign, brown tourist sign and finger post signage at the junction and the recently refreshed road markings give good warning of the road layout ahead.

GR noted that apparent delays to the start of clear up is normally due to ensuring it is safe to commence rather than a delay in the actual mobilisation of equipment to site so proactive pre-deployment would not actually speed up response. BEAR do provide a road sweeper on standby when the Old Military Road (OMR) is in use and this can be used to cover any smaller issues on the A83 in the vicinity. BEAR will ensure the supply chain is kept informed when landslides are predicted to be more likely. GR also noted that this coincides with the precautionary use of the OMR which is notified to all stakeholders.

FH thanked GR for deliver these updates, noting that they are responsive and constructive.

BEAR Scotland update on current mitigation and current condition of the hillside

FH invited Eddie Ross (ER) from BEAR Scotland to present an update on their short-term improvement works and also to provide an update to the current situation on the hillside at the Rest and Be Thankful.

ER introduced himself and presented slides which included an update on the work at the Rest and Be Thankful. ER noted that traffic management was in place to allow for essential works to be carried out and would be removed following the completion of the works. ER also noted that the length of the traffic management was to ensure that no traffic was queueing under high-risk channels to ensure safety to road users and would be shortened from April to September when it was safe to do so.

A copy of the slides can be found in Annex A.

FH thanked ER for his presentation, noting this is a timely reminder of the constant improvement and strengthening works ongoing at the Rest and Be Thankful whilst the Medium and Long Term Solutions are being delivered. FH invited questions from the taskforce.

David Sumsion (DS) asked what would happen after July in regards to the traffic management and queried if there was a potential to do the work at night to reduce the impact of the works, DS also asked if there was a planned completion time for the works.

ER responded that after July, works will be reviewed on a month-by-month basis and is informed by current weather conditions, weather forecast and conditions on the hillside. ER also noted that the first phase of work will indicatively be completed in early summer but highlighted that there would likely be works after this time elsewhere in the A83 Trunk Road.

John Gurr (JG) noted that it had been six years since the road had been open to two-way traffic for any significant length of time and asked whether the works could be done during winter months to reduce the impact on tourism. JG suggested that there should be no roadworks from April to September, with the road being open two-way, and all maintenance an improvement works should be carried out from October to March.

ER noted that this was a relatively modest programme that dealt with essential works, and whilst some of the proposed works could be delayed, the preference is that these issues were dealt with early in order to reduce risk. ER also noted that it was decided on a case by case basis whether the work was essential, he acknowledged the concerns and noted discussions can take place with Transport Scotland to move some less urgent works into the winter period. ER reassured the Taskforce that Transport Scotland and BEAR are cognisant of concerns.

FH noted these concerns and noted that decisions come with consequences and risk needs to be balanced. FH asked Transport Scotland and BEAR to investigate the feasibility of moving works to the winter period.

Action 31.1) Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland to consider moving maintenance and improvement works on the Rest and Be Thankful to the winter period.

Maurice Corry (MC) raised concerns around the slips seen on the hillside below the A83, and asked if the mitigation work to address this is sufficient and safe.

ER noted these concerns and highlighted that this was being addressed. ER also noted that works along the road were required to keep on top of these issues. ER added the ongoing drainage works are a key priority and will be delivered timeously.

Jackie Ballie MSP (JB) highlighted her support for what JG had said, and reiterated that it was important to ensure the message that Argyll and Bute was open to tourism was highlighted and noted her support with regards to adjusting the programme by moving maintenance and improvement works into the winter period.

ER responded that they were open to adjusting the programme, where feasible, but that they needed to keep on top of issues.

Update on progress of Medium and Long-Term Solutions

FH invited GR, Transport Scotland’s Project Manager for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful scheme, along with Rory Gunn (RG) from technical advisors AtkinsRéalis WSP Joint Venture, to provide an update on the appraisal work which been undertaken in relation to considering two-way free flowing options for a medium term solution.

GR noted the MTS and LTS works are ongoing, noting the schemes are progressing through the statutory process and design work has continued to progress. GR continued to note the priority during this period has been to carry out a robust review of two-way free flowing options for a medium term solution, as discussed at the previous Taskforce meeting in October 2025.

RG provided an overview of the three options investigated along with a summary of the key findings from the appraisal.

A copy of the slides can be found in Annex B.

General Discussion

FH thanked RG for the presentation and asked how the figures presented compared to the current preferred option. GR noted there were significant increases in cost and time to deliver the two way options assessed compared to the currently promoted option. RG added that for the currently promoted scheme the average journey time (7am to 7pm) is in the order of 15 minutes, however acknowledged that these are likely to be higher during summer periods. RG noted that the upper cost estimate for the proposed scheme is approximately up to £34M (£40M adjusted for inflation). RG also noted that since it is currently in the statutory process, and should a public local inquiry (PLI) be avoided, it would be about 18 months until construction could commence, with a further 12-18 months if a PLI was required.

Jenni Minto MSP (JM) noted a lot of information was shared by local businesses at the roundtable meetings and what work has been done to address these when compared to the spend on the road?

GR noted that as discussed previously it was very difficult to carry out a full economic assessment as that would likely require seeking the accounts from local businesses over a number of years and comparing them to weather and days the Old Military Road was in operation among other factors, resulting in a significant amount of time and work but noted that these concerns raised at the Roundtable meetings have been shared with FH in the reporting process.

FH noted the construction costs as presented by RG and confirmed she would take the economic effects raised during these discussions into consideration when reviewing the report. FH added that the community and economy of Argyll and Bute brings a different dimension to this piece of work compared to others elsewhere.

JG said that he shared a document with Taskforce members last week which highlights the existing Medium and Long-Term Solution options combined versus the two-way options currently under consideration, including costs and the Campaign Group’s views on the positives and negatives for each of those options. JG added that this sets out Campaign Group’s view and also includes a fourth option for the two-way forestry track green route to be the solution for both the medium and long term. JG added that at the roundtable meetings, the Rest and Be Thankful Campaign Group communicated there would be £532m of direct economic impact plus an additional £400-500m of investment delay impact should a two-way road not be provided in the medium and long-term. JG noted this was prepared based on everyone’s input. JG said that there is no need to look at business accounts throughout Argyll and Bute, a review needs to be undertaken which looks at the scale of the impact versus the scale of spend and this will give you the information to base a decision.

JG added that they have come to the conclusion that a two-way forestry track would be built to last 120 years and stated that one road should be built not two roads. JG said that one road on the green route (forestry track) would take a total of six years to complete and this is comparable with the current timescales for the medium and long-term solutions, is at least half the cost of the current proposals and will be built off-line and avoid all the issues with the current proposals. JG stated the Rest and Be Thankful Campaign Group’s preferred option remains the green route on the forestry track and have tried to give as much information to inform a decision. JG said the meetings they have had with Transport Scotland were good, cordial and collaborative and thanked GR and his team for their time.

Dougie Philand (DP) asked what the “delays to commencement” meant within the option summary tables in the presentation.

RG said that the reason for the delay is that if an alternative solution, i.e. a two-way option, is progressed as the medium-term solution, this would need to be constructed in advance of commencing construction of the currently promoted Long-Term Solution. RG noted that the time to construction for all two-way options is outlined as three and a half years (assuming no Public Local Inquiry is required) and the construction duration of the two-way options ranges from two to two and half years, as outlined in the slides.

JB noted that she was happy that an appraisal had been carried out and highlighted that there are pressures in capital funding just now, and that due to this these alternative options were helpful and suggested these would provide a cost-effective solution.

FH highlighted that there is a difference between the temporary solution and a permanent solution and that this would need to be considered as part of the decision making process.

Alan Bell (AB) noted the basis for the Campaign Groups concerns but highlighted concerns around what would happen to the current A83 trunk road if the forestry track was chosen to replace it. AB noted that there were generally three options to consider, to hand it over to Argyll and Bute Council to operate, to remove it, or to leave it in place and allow it to degrade slowly, and highlighted that if it was not used a clear solution would be needed.

FH noted there can be intended or unintended consequences of a decision on this matter and stated the issue comes back to what is considered temporary and what is considered permanent. FH also noted JG’s reference to the forestry track and his assertion that it will last 120 years and stated she will look at the information provided by Transport Scotland officials.

GR noted that in the event the forestry track was taken forward as a long-term solution the current road would likely be de-trunked and handed back to the local authority, which is the common approach on this matter. GR noted that the two-way forestry track option discussed at the meeting today has been designed and appraised as a Medium-Term Solution and not a Long-Term Solution. GR advised that if the two-way forestry track was to be progressed as a Long-Term Solution, this would be similar to the green option considered as part of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Stage 2 Assessment which included a 2.3km long debris flow shelter. GR noted that the forestry track two-way option in the medium term includes a need for landslide and boulder fall mitigation and ongoing hillside monitoring, similar to the current position on the A83. GR noted there are boulders visible upslope of the forestry track that could come down and this option, as suggested by the Campaign Group, does not guarantee that it will remain open when it rains. GR also noted the need to consider what impacts climate change may have the hillside above the forestry track in years to come, and how that may affect the possible risks.

Cllr John Armour (JA) challenged whether the debris flow shelter proposed for the LTS currently would be effective due to the effectiveness of the existing mitigation measures and risk of landslides in other locations along the road. JA noted he is becoming increasingly convinced that a solution to deliver a LTS on the other side of the glen may be preferable.

JG noted during the forestry track walkover, that in his view these problems would all be removed during the construction works, and no mitigation above the hillside or protection of the road will be required. JG noted the “over the top safety” would not be necessary.

DS highlighted several factors that had emerged since the initial decision on which option to take forward had been made:

1. The roundtable had identified potential £500M to £1B impact to the Argyll economy,
2. The landslide risk on the green route, on the west side of the glen, is nowhere near as high as the existing A83 and highlighted JG’s comment regarding the evidence of historic damage on that hillside is burnside erosion downslope rather than actual landslides and no different to other parts of the A83. DS added that the debris flow shelter on the green route is not justified which is a large part of the cost of the permanent solution looked at previously.
3. Transport Scotland is still waiting on the results from the ground investigation for the long term solution which would likely cause significant cost increases for the project as well as highlighting the concerns around the weakness of the hillside below the current route, however DS noted it is appreciated this is a question mark at this stage.

DS requested that the Cabinet Secretary “leave a memo” for her successor to consider an alternative, namely the green route, is considered.

FH noted that these were important points to highlight and that these would be considered during the assessment of the options but noted that all decisions would have consequences and consideration will be given to timescales and impacts of all options.

Summary and date of next meeting

FH thanked the taskforce for their attendance and contributions to the meeting.

FH reminded everyone that she will be retiring from the position as Cabinet Secretary for Transport in advance of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections and as such this was her last time chairing this A83 Taskforce. FH thanked everyone for their contributions to the A83 Taskforce during her time as chair and wished everyone all the best in the future.

FH handed over to Douglas Laird (DL) from Transport Scotland to chair the next part of the meeting on the operation and maintenance of the wider A83.