General discussion and AOB

FH moved to discussion points, requesting comment on the progress of the design of the MTS and LTS, feedback on the emerging design of the car park, and feedback on communications.

FH noted that this is a collective Taskforce and for communications in particular, we need all partners to direct people to the correct channels noted.

FH suggested that the daily stakeholder list for updates on the A83 could perhaps be used periodically when there is a significant milestone on the A83 Story Map, again directing people back to the A83 Story Map for the latest news.

• GRoss commented that A83 communications are very good, robust and comprehensive. GRoss noted that at Western Ferries they have a website and social media channels that provide up-to-date information on services etc. He added that there is a responsibility to provide this information but equally there is a responsibility for those who use the roads, ferries, trains or bus services to plan their journeys using the information available to travel.

FH added that with the continued stormy and wet weather, people should check before they travel. This will be pertinent when construction works for both the MTS and LTS commence. FH added that communications during construction will be considered further by colleagues in Transport Scotland and asked if the council and other partners could help with this in their communications when the project gets to this stage.

• JMc agreed that the communications have improved substantially and the information from BEAR Scotland is excellent. JMc confirmed that she receives the stakeholder email regularly and has a large mailing list which she passes it on to. JMc noted the ongoing challenge with certain media outlets indicating closures when in fact the OMR is in operation. Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland to continue raising this with the media outlets.

GM noted that BEAR Scotland have and will continue to endeavour to ask that media outlets improve their messaging.

JMc confirmed that BEAR Scotland are very helpful and always provide a quick response. In relation to the emerging car park layout, she asked if visitor parking spaces could be increased and also queried if there had been engagement with bus operators, City Link and West Coast Motors.

• LW noted that the updates on ongoing work are appreciated and asked if there was any update on when the initial work will be completed and when the work will commence on the debris flow shelter. She also asked if there are estimated timescales for use of the OMR while the debris flow shelter is being constructed.

GR confirmed that it was difficult to put a timescale on when the construction would start in terms of the LTS at this stage. He explained that Transport Scotland and AWJV are currently undertaking the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Stage 3 which is the detailed design and assessment of the preferred option and are aiming to conclude this and publish draft Orders and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report at the end of the year. Thereafter GR explained that the programme depends on whether any objections are received. If there are objections to the scheme which are unable to be resolved it may result in a Public Local Inquiry being held which could add potentially 12 to 18 months onto the programme for the scheme. He added that Transport Scotland has previously presented a slide which gives the indicative timescales for each stage of the development of a typical trunk road scheme and these are published on the Transport Scotland website.

• LW requested details of the upcoming engagement events and confirmed that she would share the details with their members to encourage engagement. She also asked if there were any online sessions being held.

GR advised that venues and dates are still to be confirmed. Once confirmed the information will be shared with Taskforce members. He added that the events will be available virtually and in person and there will be a feedback form available for people to complete as well as an online version, similar to the approach taken for the preferred route exhibitions in spring 2023.

• JG noted that in October 2023, the Taskforce discussed how long users of the A83 would be on the single-track (OMR) road during construction. He added that when the preferred option was announced it looked like this would be the case for three years which he does not consider suitable for running Argyll and Bute. He added that he had hoped that he would get to know how long that period of disruption would be and asked if this had been confirmed. JG requested that the Taskforce be informed of this as soon as possible rather than waiting until the (DMRB Stage 3) report is published because if there is limited access there might be more people objecting at that late stage instead of trying to work with the Taskforce to consider options.
• JG confirmed he would also like to know if there is a way of ensuring two-way traffic operation during construction of the LTS and can this be communicated before the final report is produced.
• JG asked, in relation to the previous comment on a separate Taskforce session regarding water saturation, if tidal ingress on the road throughout its length could be included as it is a concern for a lot of people. He added that at the weekend the water was over the Inverary Bridge and at Ardrishaig. He highlighted that the information would help understand the climate change impacts and the rising sea levels on the road.

FH requested that Transport Scotland consider the wider area to give overall context.

GR informed the group that unfortunately there is no immediate answer regarding traffic management during construction as this work is ongoing. However, as the project requires construction of a debris flow shelter on the line of the existing road, temporary traffic management will be needed and it is likely that traffic will be diverted onto the OMR for significant periods during construction. GR added that it would be difficult to say exactly what those periods would be until the work is further developed but constructability of the preferred route and how disruption can be minimised is a key consideration of the ongoing design and assessment work. Transport Scotland appreciate the views of the local community and the Taskforce regarding this matter.

GR added that whilst Transport Scotland and AWJV will make a best estimate for the purposes of assessment, when a contractor is appointed they may consider alternative or new innovative methods of construction. He added that the DMRB Stage 2 assessment did take account of the constructability constraints of the preferred route in the overall assessment of options. In terms of the journey timescales GR stressed that the OMR will not be the OMR as it is at present, noting Transport Scotland are extending the two-way working as part of the MTS to reduce the length of the convoy operation at the northern end, therefore journey times will not be the same as those experienced at the moment.

FH reiterated the comments of JG in relation to knowing information ahead of time to help avoid future objections acknowledging that Transport Scotland is unable to give definitive dates at this time. FH added that the Taskforce needs to think collectively on the mitigating measures that can be put in place to try and avoid objections.

• JG asked if in the next two to three months Transport Scotland could provide information regarding the buildability, is it traffic lights or two-way traffic on OMR, how much traffic on single lane and if it is a three-month closure as opposed to a three-year closure then people can at least understand the impacts better.
• JG noted that the Taskforce was originally set up to look at the A83 in its entirety with the major section of focus being the RaBT and added that there are other elements such as Glen Kinglas worth thinking about.

FH acknowledged that more information in relation to single lane and convoy operation would be helpful for people to understand.

• With respect to earlier comments on media and communications, GRoss highlighted that when there is an issue with the main road, the road is open, and for media outlets to say it is closed is incorrect, giving similar comparison to the M8 where there may be a lane closed but the road is still open.

FH acknowledged that Transport Scotland will make sure that media outlets hear that message clearly. Transport Scotland will look at improving the messaging especially on the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) boards and how people use the road and will update the group accordingly.

• GRoss noted that “roadworks” would be a well-used term.

FH confirmed that Transport Scotland give further consideration to the approach to messaging on access to the A83 noting the suggestion that “roadworks” may be a useful phrase.

• RC provided feedback regarding the car park and viewpoint noting that adding toilets as part of the community benefits should be a consideration. He added that the car park is a popular area for people to stop and eat there and a small block of toilets might be a good addition.

FH noted a comment in the meeting chat regarding information on the regional marine plan and sea levels in the area.

FH added that partnership working and understanding of everyone’s needs in terms of stakeholder engagement were paramount and hoped the lines of communication were there in between these meetings.

• MR asked why it took so long for the lorries that had recently overturned at the RaBT to be moved and to reopen the road.

MB confirmed that Police Scotland did not deem it safe enough during the high winds to be able to operate the crane which was required to remove the vehicles so that was the reason for the time it took to return the road to operation.

GM added that there has also been instances previously with trees blowing over and that they have to consider the workforce and their safety.

FH noted that it will be helpful for Police Scotland to communicate safety concerns to the Road Haulage Association directly.

• MR confirmed that they do have a lot of communication with Transport Scotland and Police Scotland.

FH reassured MR that there was engagement with the Road Haulage Association when the recent storms happened.

• WS raised the condition of the road surface in Arrochar and highlighted that there has been a significant number of reports of burst car tyres at this location. He asked when work on the condition of the road would commence?.

GM replied to say that the A83 in Arrochar is part of a schedule of recurring works and would be ranked along with all roads on the network to ensure interventions are prioritised and targeted across the network.

LS returned to earlier comments regarding disruption during construction of the LTS and confirmed that as part of any contract there are clauses in the contract which will seek to try to minimise disruption to users as much as possible.

LS confirmed in terms of timescales, engagement with the Taskforce and the wider public before publishing draft Orders for the LTS is essential. He added that this will help minimise objections to try and continue to progress at speed, reiterating that engagement is of key importance.

• GC thanked the group for the update and asked what signage will be installed at the car park. She added that it is a very popular car park with a lot of visitors.
• PMc raised the overturned lorries at the RaBT and understood that the road was closed for recovery. However, he highlighted that the overturned lorries were off the carriageway and would have caused no disruption to traffic. He added that the road was closed all of the next day with no attempt at recovery and his vehicles were diverted round by Dalmally, Crianlarich and Tarbet which is a 90-mile detour for no reason.

FH confirmed that it was helpful to hear this feedback and that BEAR Scotland and Transport Scotland have regular contact with the emergency services and will provide this feedback to them. She added that she receives regular updates and did so on this situation.

FH highlighted two issues which included - the actual recovery of the vehicles and the safety in doing that and in the meantime should it or could it have been open.

FH added that this is a challenging and difficult road for those that have to drive it on a regular basis and also those who work to repair and maintain it. FH asked that BEAR Scotland and colleagues receive thanks from the Taskforce for the considerable amount of work in challenging circumstances particularly over the October period.